
Qass Il 2?^ 
BQok.> B ^Z 



<«*^ ^ y; 



SJJ^ 



THE 



LIFE AND TIMES 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, 



. J. BURR 



•• The people of the United States, to preserve their liber 
tics, must do their own voting and their own fighting." 

IIarrisoft. 



EIGHTH EDITION. 



NEW YORK: > 

PUBLISHED BY L.W.RANSOM, 

No. 135 Water Street 

PHILADELPHIA, 
R. Vr. POMEUOV, No. 3 MINOR STRBIT 



1840. 



^97 



Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the 
year 1840, by L. W . Ransom, in the Clerk's office of 
the District Court of the Southern Districtof New York. 



PREFACE. 

Is presenting ihe " Life and Times of Willi im 
Uenry Harrison to the public, some explanation of 
the title may be necessary. Wo have christened onr 
work Life and Times, to distinguish it from several other 
booKs already out upon the same subject. By " Times," 
we do not mean all ihe events of the country during the 
life of Harrison, but merely those with which he was 
immediately connecteil. 

Ill recording these, we have been governed solely by 
facts, and we leave these facts to speak for themselves. 
If he were not at this moment before the people for 
their suffrages as a candidate for a great and important 
station, we might have indulged in compliment and 
praise ; but we have no disposition, and disclaim all 
intention of making our history political. 

In our Appendix will be found many papers of great 
interest, connected with the life of General Harrison, 
and to which we invite attention. 

In preparing our work for publication, we have 
been greatly assisted by Butler's History of Kentucky; 
McAfTee's History of the Late War; Hall's Life of 
Harrison, and Dawson's Life of Harrison. We have 
also used freely the Washington Mirror; Niles' Regis- 
ter; the Congressional Journals, and the Journals of 
tlie Legislatures of Ohio, Indiana, &c. 



iv. PREFACE. 

We return our acknowledgments to several gentle- 
men who have kindly furnished us with much important 
information, among whom we must particularize, Gen- 
eral Leslie Combs, of Lexington, Kentucky, and our 
talented fellow-citizen, Rufus Dawes, Esq. To the 
latter, we are very largely indebted. 



INDEX 



CHAPTER I. . Ptgfc 

Birtli, Parentage, and Education of William Henry 
Harrison — His first appointment by Washington. 9 
CHAPTER 11. 
Defeat of Harmer — St. Clair's defeat — Foreign 

Influence. 17 

CHAPTER HI, 
British influence — General Wayne appointed to 
the command of the Legion of the UnitedStates — 
Desertion 26 

CHAPTER IV. 
Ensign Harrison reaches Fort Washington- 
Gains the applause of St. Clair — Is promoted to 

a Lieutenancy. - 34 

CHAPTER V. 
Removal of the army to Greenville — Suicide of Big- 
Tree — Harrison inspires the troops — Occupation 
of Fort Massac — Preparations for an active 
campaign. 42 

CHAPTER VI. 
Assault upon Fort Recovery— Little Turtle's opin- 
ion of General Wayne — Wayne's account of the 
battle of the 20th of August, 1794— His praise of 
Harrison. 50 

CHAPTER VII. 
Buckongahelas — Treaty concluded — Emigration 
renewed — Mr. Harrison placed in command of 
Fort Washington — French intrigues — Powers 
couferred upoD Capt. Harrison— His marriase. G3 
A* 



Yi. INDEX. 

CHAPTER VIIT. p,j^ 

Mr. Harrison chosen delegate to Congress- -Ap- 
pointed Governor of the new Territory of Indiana. 69 
CHAPTER IX. 
British interference — The Governor's powers and 
duties — He declines fees for Indian licences — 

His popularity. 76 

CHAPTER X. 
Conduct of Buckongahelas — Notice of Little Turtle. 85 

CHAPTER XI. 
Governor Harrison's treatment of the Indians — His 
writings and speeches. ----- 93 

CHAPTER XII. 
Notice of Ol-Ii-wa-chi-ca and Tecumthe. - - 101 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Tanner's account — Anecdote of the Dead Chief. - 110 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Tecumthe visits Governor Harrison at Vincennes. 120 

CHAPTER XV. 
Gathering of the Indians at Tippecanoe. - - 129 

CHAPTER XVI. 
March of the army — Battle of Tippecanoe. - - 133 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Governor Harrison's conduct at the battle of Tip- 
pecanoe — His danger and his courage — Testi- 
mony — Opinion of President Madison — Trial 
and condemnation of the negro — His pardon — 
Harrison's letter on the subject — Return of the 
troops. 14? 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The United States declare war against Great Britain 
— Diuaeir to Gcxnoral Harrison—His letter to th« 



INDEX. vii. 

Pass. 

Government — Governor Harrison appointed 
Major General by Brevet, by Governor Scott. - 159 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Harrison relieves Fort Wayne — Successful expe- 
dition under Campbell — Harrison advises the 
building of a fleet. ------ 171 

CHAPTER XX. 
Attack on Fort Harrison — Massacre on the Pigeon 
Koosl Fork — Winchester neglects to r%-ard 
the instructions of General Harrison — Gallant 
action at Frenchtown — Massacre at the River 
Raisin — Conduct of the brave Madison — Harri- 
son's surprise at Winchester's conduct — Exer- 
tions of the former to reinforce the latter. - - 183 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Camp Meigs — Lauding of the British and Indians — 
Siege — The siege raised by the British. - - 196 

CHAPTER XXII 
Second siege of Fort Meigs — Attack on Fort Ste- 
phenson — Orders to Croghan — His gallant de- 
fence of the Fort. - - - - - - 203 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
Perry's battle— Surrender of the English fleet. - 213 

CHAP'I>ER.XXIV. 
Battle of the Thames— Military skill of General 
Harrison— Death of Tecumthe — End of the war 
in Upper Canada. 220 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Public rejoicings — Opinion of Simon Snyder — 
Democratic meeting at Harrowgate — Harrison's 
resignation—Perry's opinion. - • • - 227 



Xiu. INDEX, &c. 

CHAPTER XXVI. Pic* 

Harrison elected to Congress— Vote of thanks and 
a gold medal presented — Opinion of Colonel 
Johnson-^Harrison's militia bill. ... 237 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
General Harriron in Congress — In the Senate of 
Ohio — Censured for his vote upon the bill for the 
punishment of criminals — His letter on the sub- 
ject. .... ... . 244 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
The Missoiu'i restriction — Harrison a candidate for 

tha presidency. 252 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
A retrospect of the acts and character of Harrison. 261 



CONTENTS TO APPENDIX. 



Wayne and Campbell's Correspondence, . . 267 
]MisciiecaRocquah to Governor Harrison, • - 271 
jyir. Eiistis to General Harrison, .... 272 
Colonel Johnson to General Harrison, ... 273 
Otficers of the Army to lh(3 Public, - . . 275 
Major Crogha n's Card, - - - . . 276 

Indiana Legislature and General Harrison, - - 279 
Comnmnication on the Battl^ of Tippecanoe, - 280 
Diimer to General Harrison, .... 280 

General Harrison's Modesty, .... 2-*l 
Jefferson and Harrison, ..... 282 

Harrison's Letter to Bolivar, .... 282 

Extracts from the Ad<lress before the Hamilton 

County Agricultural Society, ... 294 

General Harrison to Hon, Hju-mar Denny, - 295 

Harrison to the Editor of the Ohio Confederato, 297 
M. Chevalier's Notice of General Harrison, - 300 



LIFE AND TIMES 

OF 

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



CHAPTER I. 



Birth, Parentage, and Education of William Henry Harriscn. 

His first appointment by Wasiiinglon. 

In the most strict sense of the word, every man 
belongs to his country, and the hves of all who 
have distinguished themselves, whether in the 
field or in the forum, sliould be carefully re- 
corded, and their acts minutely and faithfully 
engrossed ; as lessons of instruction and ex- 
amples for emulation to after generations. 
Under a republic, offices of trust, honor, and 
emolument, are open to all, and he who served 
his country in any manner whatever, retires 
from that service into private life, and mingles 
once more with those, who, for a sliort time, 
honored him with power. However worthy 
his deeds, no title of nobility follows him into 
his retirement ; no privileged designation of 
mere sound descends to his son and his son's 



10 LIFE AND TIMES 

son. Tlie chiid may look back witli conscioug 
pride, to tlie wliole life of liis father, but he 
must still depend upon his own exertions, his 
own acts, and ins own genius, for any distinc- 
tion siiown to himself. Jt is one of the greatest 
blessings of our form of government, that we 
are not honored because our fathers were. 
Were it otherwise, how many silly coxcombs 
would we bend to, merely because their fathers 
were great men 1 " Every man for himself," 
is a true Yankee motto, and should be that of 
every free people. This saying is quite com- 
mon, and is often perverted, but we apply it 
only in all honorable enterprize, and where 
ambition is governed solely by a desire for the 
general weal. 

Yet, when a man can proudly refer to the 
achievements of his fathers, it stimulates his 
mind to bo worthy of such a parentage, and 
urges him to attempt a career as bright and 
glorious as that of his ancestry. There are 
few of our countrymen who can make such a 
retrospect with as much pleasure as the sub- 
ject of our present memoir, General William 
Henry Harrison. 

Descended frotn a long line of patriots, he 
would have proved recreant to llie best blood 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 11 

in America, liad he been less than tliey 
Thrown early into public life by the require- 
ment of a youno^ and struggling country, his 
opportunities gave scope to his superior in- 
tellect, and step by step he rose in the estima- 
tion of the people, gathering fresh laurels at 
each advance, until there is barely room 
enough for another glorious chaplet upon his. 
noble brow. 

William Henry Harrison, was born on 
the 9th day of February, 1773, at a place 
called Berkley, on the James River, about 25 
miles below Richmond, in Charles City 
County, in the State of Virginia. He is a 
lineal descendant of that General Harrison, 
who bore a prominent part in the English 
civil wars, and who held an important com- 
mand in the armies of the Commonwealth. 

Benjamin Harrison, the father of William 
Henry, was a delegate to the Continental 
Congress, in 1774-5-6. It was between him 
and John Hancock, that the amicable con- 
tention took place respecting the Presidency 
of the Congress. Peyton Randolph, and 
Benjamin Harrison, were brothers-in-law, and 
upon the decease of the former, who was first 
President of Congress, it was the wish of the 



12 LIFE AM) TIMES 

Southern members that Mr. Harrison should 
be selected to fill the cliair vacated hy the 
death of his rehitive. He was fully informed 
of the various sectional prejudices existing at 
that momentous crisis, and exerted all his in- 
fluence in favor of hi» friendly rival, John 
Hancock. He reasoned with his colleagues 
upon the importance of conciliating the 
Northern feeling, and succeeded in obtaining 
for the Massachussetts member a unanimous 
vote. 

Waln, in his Biography of the Signers of 
the Declaration of Independence, says of Mr. 
Hancock : — 

*' With a modesty not unnatural of his years^ 
and a consciousness of the difficulty he might 
experience in filling a station of such high im- 
portance and responsibility, he hesitated to 
take the seat. Mr. Harrison was standing 
beside him, and with the ready good humour 
that he loved a joke, even in the Senate House, 
he seized the modest candidate in his athletic 
arms, and placed him in the presidential cliair; 
then turning to some of the members around, 
he exclaimed, * We will show mother Britain 
how little we care for her, by making a Massa- 
chussetts man our president, whom she haa 



OF WIMLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 13 

excluded from pardon by public proclama- 
tion.' " 

Benjamin Harrison, afterward filled the 
executive chair of Virginia, at a time when the 
energies of the bold, prompt, and daring, were 
requisite to inspire his countrymen. With the 
example of such a father, William Henry 
Harrison would have been less than man had 
he not been brave and patriotic. His father 
was a patriot of the noblest class when it was 
death to be so known. He made his opinions 
public, with the gallows staring him in the 
face, and fled not from the enemy who watched, 
but to slay. When destruction hung over his 
country, he was by the side of his daring com- 
panions to breast and share with them the 
ruthless storm. 

When the sacred Declaration of Indepen- 
dence was passed, he joined the fathers of the 
Union, and signed that famous document. It 
was a solemn hour, and not a man placed his 
name to that paper, who did not expect deso- 
lation and death to wait upon the deed. So 
well convinced were all of imminent risk of 
the act, that when Charles Carroll signed, 
remark was made, ** There go millions," the 
some one added, " but as there are many of 



14 LIFE AND TIMES 

tlie nJime he may escape hy its not being 
luiown positively wiiich it is." " Not so," re- 
plied the signer, and iiinnediately added " of 
Carrollton." Hence it is that this name is ac 
companied witli his place of residence. 

1'hough well aware of the enormous danger 
incurred, not a man wavered in his purpose. 
When they pledged " our lives and fortunes, 
and our sacred honors," they knew the penalty, 
yet not a soul trcmhied for the consequences. 

William Heniiy Harrison was the third 
and youngest son, and tliough the father was 
poor in this world's goods, the son received a 
rich and noble inheritance — the legacy of a 
name surrounded by glorious achievements 
and connected with the first struggles of his 
country for freedom. To a soul filled with 
honor and burning to imitate the noble exam- 
ple, such legacy was all he asked — all he re- 
quired. 

Young Harrison was educated at Hampden, 
Sydney College, and afterward applied him- 
self diligently to the study of medicine. In 
his boyhood he had wished for some opportu- 
nity to serve his country, for he 



" had heard of battles, and longed 

To follow to tbd field soom warlike lord." 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 15 

He was about to 2:radunte as a physician, 
when fresh reports of the daring deeds of his 
countrymen in the western wilds ; tales of mid- 
night murders in the new settlements, rotised 
ajjain tlie lambent desire to share the perils 
of his fellow-citizens and he resolved to join 
tlie frontier army; — not to spread plasters and 
sew up jrashes, but as a soldier of liberty. 

His iruardian was the celebrated Robert 
MoRuis, who so frequently relieved the Con- 
tinental army from his private fortune, and 
was the intimate friend of the immortal Wash- 
ington. Perceiving in young Harrison the 
germ of true greatness, Mr. Morris endeavored 
to persuade him from his purpose until he iiad 
the advantage <»f every scientific acquirement 
within reach, and it was supposed that tlie 
kindness of his nature and gentleness of man- 
ner, had fitted him peculiarly for the profes- 
eion which he had first adopted. 

The army then serving in the west under 
General St. Clair, had been raised for the 
express purpose of preventing ihe repeated 
outrages and barbarities conunilted by the In- 
dians, and the young student resolved to join 
this little band and serve his country where 
•he most needed the gallantry of her sons. 



16 LIFE AND TIMES 

The opposition of his excellent guardian 
was not sufficient to deter him from his pur- 
pose, and as his design was approved by 
Washington, who had also been the warm 
friend of his father, he received from that no- 
ble warrior an ensign's commission in the first 
regiment of United States Artillery, then sta- 
tioned at Fort Washington. 

Here commenced the public life of Harri- 
son, and long, active, and eventful has it been. 
Here under a daring and experienced soldier, 
the young officer began his glorious career. 
At the early age of nineteen he adopted the 
service of his country as his profession, and 
not contented with his uniform merely to ex- 
hibit it in the streets of a city, he repaired im- 
mediately to a dangerous position, to give the 
strength of his boyish arm to defend a frontier 
which may be said at that time, almost to have 
been in the possession of a ruthless, cruel, and 
vindictive foe. 

We cannot close this chapter without draw- 
ing a comparison between our boy soldier and 
Lafayette. The latter left his own country 
to aid a struggling people in obtaining and 
maintaining their freedom. The former re- 
linquished a peaceful profession in which his 



OF WILLIAM UENRY IlARRISOIi. 17 

talents would soon have rendered him inde- 
pendent, to share the danoers of a wihierness 
— tlie exposure to a cohJ and chan-ieahie cli- 
mate, and the tomahawks amJ scalpiufr knives 
of a scu^kinji^ midnight foe; and all tiii^ to as- 
sist men expectinjr night after night to he 
butchered in tlieir sleep. Both heroes entered 
unon tlieir arduous profession at nearly ihe 
same period of life — hoth triumphed, and hotli 
lived long to benefit mankind by their dazzling 
genius, their warlike enterprize and their pro- 
found counsel. 



CHAPTER IL 

The Indian war— Hostile tribes —Defeat of Harmer— Oci^aniza- 
tion of a new army under St. Clair— Advance of the same— 
St. Claii's defeat— State of the country— Parlies in Con- 
gress—Foreign influence. 

In 1783 peace was concluded between 
Great Britain and the United States of 
America, yet our country was still the scene 
of war and bloodshed. During the revolu- 
tionary contest, most of the Indian tribes upon 
the frontier had been induced to take up arms 
in favor of Great Britain, and they now re- 
fused to lay down the hatchet, determined still 



18 LIFE AND TIMES 

to continue their murders until the people of 
the United States should be driven from the 
western settlements. 

A few of tlie tribes entered into treaties of 
peace with this country, but tjjose north and 
west of the Ohio persisted in maintaining 
their barbarous and devastating hostility. 
The incursions of the latter were principally 
directed against the people of west Penn- 
sylvania, and a few settlements which had 
been formed in the Northwestern Territory, or 
that portion of it which is now the state of Ohio. 

There were seven tribes at this time, who 
refused altogether to enter into a peace, and 
who persisted in their midnight murders upon 
the border. The principal of these were the 
MiAMiES, who occupied all of Indiana, a 
large part of Illinois, and a good tract of 
country west of the Scioto, in Ohio. They 
were a brave and warlike people, but ex- 
tremely obstinate. They hearkened but little 
even to their own cliiefs, so that it can scarcely 
be supposed but they would be among the 
very last to abandon a war, to which they 
were daily urged by Englishmen, and while 
too, they could be supplied with guns and am 
munition from the British forts. 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 19 

The HuRONS occupied the southern shore 
of Lake Erie, and a more desperate set of 
dogs were not to be found through the whole 
region of the west. Again and again would 
they rally when driven back, and rarely was 
it that they abandoned the pursuit of a foe. 
The HuRONS or Wyandots have been known 
to follow a beaten and retreating enemy for 
more than a week, and never rose the sun dur- 
ing the whole time, but his beams were dark- 
ened with the blood of mothers and babes. 

The Delawares having been driven from 
their beautiful flat-lands by the white settler, 
left CoAQUANAC * for the west, and gradually 
retired, until we find them, at the time of 
which we write, dwelling within the present 
limits of Ohio. 

This tribe had but little to complain of 
compared with many others. The land owned 
by the Delawares, or Lent Lenapes, had, to 
a great extent, been purchased and paid for. 

In the north of Ohio were the Shawnees, 
who had made their way from the extreme 
south, and are supposed to have been driven by 
some stronger tribe, from Georgia or Florida. 

•The Indian name of Philadelphia. 



20 LIFE AND TIMES 

On the peninsula of Michigan were the 
Chii»pewas, llie Ottowas, and the Poto- 
WATOMiES. AH these tribes, and some of ihem 
were at that time very large and numbered 
many tliousands of warriors, were engaged in 
desperate contests with the whites, for the 
purpose of stopping forever tiie emigration of 
the early settlers to the west. 

" My mind and heart are upon that river," 
pointing to the Ohio, *' may that river ever 
continue to run, and remain the boundary of 
lasting peace between the Americans, and the 
Indians on its opposite shore." 

This was the toast given by Cornpi.anter 
at the tal)le ot Gen. Wayne, in March, 1793. 
We step a little in advance of our history to 
bring in this sentiment of a friendly chief, that 
our readers may l»e able to judge of the feel- 
ing at that time exi:-ting among the Indians, 
towards the white settlers. Assassination was 
the deed of every night, and though our revo- 
lutionary war closed in 1783, yet the Indians 
still committed their outrages, and were often 
assisted by the English ; who, though they 
did not as a nation war upon us, yet they had 
their men and officers mingled with and dii'fct 
ing the hostile tribes. 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 21 

Mr. Hall in noticing this subject, says :— 
" From 1783 to 1790, it was estimated that 
1500 men, women and cliildren, had been 
killed or taken prisoners by the Indians upon 
the waters of the Ohio; more than 2000 
horses were stolen from the inhabitants ; 
houses had been burned, fields ravaged, boats 
plundered, and property destroyed to an un- 
known amount. Still the settlements grew, 
and the gallant pioneers sustained the war 
with undaunted spirit. The British, in de- 
fiance of a solemn treaty, continued to hold 
military posts within our acknowledged ter- 
ritory, to tamper with the tribes in our limits, 
and faithlessly to supply the munitions of war, 
to be used against a civilized people at peace 
with herself." 

The defeat of Brigadier General Harmer, 
a brave and skilful officer, and the total des- 
truction of his gallant army, by hordes of 
savages, filled the whole frontier with appre- 
hension and despair, whilst it inspired the In- 
dians with renewed confidence ; and flushed 
with victory, they extended their barbarities 
from town to town, and house to house, with 
the apparent determination to annihilate every 
settler on the border. 



22 LIFE AND TIMES 

The iiiliabitants of the frontier called for a 
new army, whicli was raised and phiced under 
tlie command of Major General St. Clair, a 
veteran of the revolution, who possessed the 
entire confidence of Washington. It was 
necessary that the arms of America sliould 
triumph over all her foes, whether foreign or 
domestic, that the country might be secure 
from rapine, murder and devastation, and that 
the young nation should be respected by the 
whole world. 

The new army marched to the seat of war, 
and the venerable commander exerted all his 
skill for the success of his hardy soldiers ; 
but unfortunate events occiirred which were 
wholly unexpected, and the meritorious ef- 
forts of St. Clair, in behalf of his country, 
were only attended with defeat and destruc- 
tion. 

The army advanced slowly and cautiously 
toward the head waters of the Wabash, open- 
ing a road, and building forts at suitfdjle dis» 
tances. By the first of November, 1791, St 
Clair found himself in the midst of the In- 
dian country, and within fifteen miles of the 
Miami villages. On the 4th, about daylight, 
his camp was suddenly attacked by an im- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 23 

tncnse body of savages, lend on by Meshe- 
CUNNAQUA, or tlie Little Turtle, a dis- 
tinguished chief and great warrior of the 
Miarnies, and Buckongehelas, first chief of 
the Dehiwares, aided by white auxiliaries from 
Canada. 

The assailants were well protected by the 
shelter of tlie trees and the frequent mounds 
of earth. They fired from the ground and 
were scarcely to be seen, except when they 
rose to spring from one shelter to another. 
Tliey advanced rapidly in front, and upon 
eitlier flank, up to the very mouths of the 
American field pieces. 

The militia occupying the front were dis- 
mayed by the impetuosity and violence of this 
unexpected attack, and falling back upon the 
regulars, threw them into confusion. In vain 
the officers endeavoured to rally and re-form 
their men ; their success was only partial. 
Twice were the Indians driven back by des- 
perate charges, but while they gave way at 
one point to the bayonets of our soldiers, from 
every other quarter they poured in a heavy 
and destructive fire upon the lines, until the 
whole army was thrown into the greatest con- 
fusion, and a most disorderly retreat ensued. 



24 LIFE AND TIMES 

For several miles the Indians pursued their 
conquered foe, and the woods were literally 
strewed with the bleeding bodies of tlie dead 
and dying;. The camp was completely de- 
serted, and was afterward plundered by the 
victors. 

The army suffered most cruelly. Of four- 
teen hundred men engaged, five hundred and 
tliirty were killed, and three hundred and 
sixty wounded. Many of the latter died within 
a few days after the battle. Thirty officers 
were slain, and among them General Butler, 
a distinguished soldier of the revolutionary 
struggle. 

A series of terrible disasters had already 
rendered the war unpopular, and this last de- 
feat filled the whole country with distress, 
mourning, and apprehension. The impla- 
cable foe had gained success upon success, 
until, flushed with victory, he ventured still 
closer to the encampments and threatened to 
attack settlements still further east. The 
bleeding scalp, torn from the struggling and 
wounded victim, was flouted in the face of the 
American soldiery, and every species of in- 
sult offered to their dead and dying com^ 
punioQS. 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON- 25 

So £:reat was the consternation spread 
tliroughout the country, that even the brave 
and daring shrunk from a contest fruitful only 
in labour, disaster, and defeat. Victory over 
such an enemy would bring but little glory ; 
and if conquered, excruciating tortures and 
horrid deaths were certain to await the van- 
quished. 

Parties for and against the further prosecu- 
tion of the war were forming through the 
]and, and the two fatal expeditions had 
drained the treasury, and drawn largely from 
the resources of the country. In Congress 
parties pro and con also existed, and all the 
energy, coolness, and discrimination of the 
mighty intellect of our great Washington were 
required to crush the discontented factions, 
and to secure the permanency of those glo- 
rious institutions which had been established 
by seven years of toil, and the outpouring of 
oceans of patriotic blood. 

Had the war at that moment been given 
over, it is highly probable that Tingland would 
have thrown her forces opeidy into the west- 
ern wilderness, and commenced another trial 
to reduce the free states. Though she could 
nevi^r have gained this object, she miglit have 



26 LIFE AND TIMES 

possessed herself of an immense territory at 
the north-west, and retarded for many year» 
the developement of tlie blessings of freedom, 
and the proof of that which was tlien cou- 
sidered a mere assertion — " That man is ca- 
pable of self-government." 



CHAPTER III. 

British influence— General Wayne appointed to the command of 
tho Legion of the United States — Desertion — Disciplino and 
State of the New Army. 

The war with the north-western tribes was 
no longer a local matter, but had gradually 
risen in importance, until it became a national 
contest, jeoparding tlie free institutions of our 
new country. In the movements of the foe 
was seen the directing influence of a more ex- 
perienced hand, and although Great Britain 
had abandoned as a government, efforts to re 
cover the colonies, yet it was too clearly per 
ceived that she did not restrain her subjects 
from co-operating with, aiding, advising, and 
leading the hostile bands of Indians. 

At his first interview with Mr, Adams, the 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 27 

King of England expressed the following 
sentiment: — 

" I was the last to conform to the separa- 
tion ; but the separation having been made, I 
would be the first to meet the friendship of the 
United States as an independent power." 

The people did not join with their sovereign 
in this declaration, but continued to throw 
every obstacle that could be thought of in the 
way of the rising Republic. 

The frequent defeats rendered it imperative 
that the army should be placed under the com- 
mand of a military chief of well earned repu- 
tation ; a cautious, discreet, brave, and ener- 
getic soldier. The two most prominent at 
that period, were George Rogers Clark and 
Anthony Wayne. They had both fought in 
the revolution ; held separate commands, and 
had planned and executed the most daring 
and successful enterprizes. The latter was 
known through the whole army, and in every 
quarter of the Union, as Mad Anthony, from 
his eventful fortunes and daring adventures. 
The calculating mind of the discriminating 
Washington singled out Mad Anthony, to 
command the western army, and he at once 
received orders to that effect. Brigadier Gen- 



28 LIFE AND TIME3 

erals James Wilkinson and Thomas Posey, 
distingnislied revolutionary officers, were asso- 
ciated with General Wayne. 

In the Casket of 1830, published by Mr. 
Atkinson, in Pliihidelphia, we find an article 
upon tiie subject of the frontier war, written 
evidently by a person intimately acquainted 
with the subject. We copy below his account 
of the formation of Wayne's Legion, or ** The 
Legion of the United States," by which name 
it was designated and known. 

" On the 25th of May, 1792, General Wayne 
having been furnished by the Secretary of 
War with the instructions of the President, '\n 
which it was emphatically expressed, that a?i- 
other defeat would be inexpressibly ruinous to 
the reputation of the government, took leave o( 
his family and friends, and repaired to Pitts- 
burgh, the place appointed for the rendezvous 
of the troops, and where he arrived in June. 
By the new organization, the army was to 
consist of one Major General, four Brigadier 
Generals, and their respective staffs ; the com- 
missioned officers, and five thousand one hun- 
dred and twenty non-commissioned officers 
and privates — the whole to be denominated 
» The Legion of the United States.' Tho 



op WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 29 

legion to be divided into four sub-legions, each 
to consist of commissioned officers named, 
and one thousand two hundred and eiohtv 
non-commissioned officers and privates. The 
previous army having been nearly annihi 
lated, a nevt^ one was to be recruited. Most 
of tlie experienced officers having been shiin 
in the defeats of Harmer and St. Clair, or 
resigned their commissions, the labors of the 
commanding general were augmented to an 
extent which nothing but the most unweaHed 
patience and ardent zeal could have perform 
ed. Many of the ofiicers, as well as of the 
soldiers, had yet to learn the rudiments of the 
profession. The organization of the troops, 
military tactics, discipline, &c., devolved so 
far upon the General, as to leave him scarcely 
time, without infinite labor, to keep up the 
correspondence incident to his station. His 
efforts were indefatigable, and it is impossible 
at the present day to form an adequate idea 
of the difiiculties he had to encounter, the 
labors to perform, and the obstacles to sur- 
mount. So panic-struck was the wliole coun- 
try at the repeated and bloody successes of 
the enemy, that an engagement w ith them was 
looked to as certair «lefeat. A perfect horror 
c* 



30 LIFE AND TIMES 

seemed to seize the recruits, when mnrched 
from the rendezvous wliere they hod enlisted, 
and their faces turned to join tlie enemy. In 
a letter to tlie Secretnry of War, dated Pitts- 
burgh, 20ih July, 1792, General Wayne says, 
* The detachment under Major Ashton ar- 
rived at this phice on Monday ; Lieutenant 
Campbell's with Stokes' drairoons, and 
Captain Faulkner's riflemen, on Tuesday, 1 
am, however, sorry to inform you of the alarm 
in<r desertion that prevailed in Ashton's de- 
tachment, and Stokes' dratjoons. Not less 
than fifty of the former, and seven of the lat 
ter deserted on their march between Carlysle 
and Pittsburgh.' 

" Another fact will show the degree of ter 
ror that the name of Indian had inspired, and 
the extraordinary difficulties the general had 
to surmount, to introduce obedience, self-con 
fidence, and cournge. A letter to the Secre 
tary of War, dated Pittsburgh, 10th of August, 
1792, says, * Desertions have been frequent 
and alarming. Two nights since, upon a re- 
port that a large body of Indians were close 
in our front, I ordered the troops to form for 
action, and rode along the line to inspire them 
with confidence, and gave a charge to those 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 31 

in the redoubts wliich I had recently thrown 
up in our front, and on the right flank, to 
maintain their posts at any expense of bh)od, 
until I could gain the enemy's rear with the 
dragoons ; but such wtis the defect of tlie hu- 
man heart, that from excess of cowardice, one* 
third of the sentries deserted from their sta- 
tions, so as to leave the most accessible places 
unguarded.' 

" By the salutary measures adopted to in- 
troduce order and discipline, the army soon 
began to assume its proper character. The 
troops were daily exercised in all the evolu- 
tions necessary to render them efficient sol- 
diers, and more especially inthose inancenvers 
proper in a campaign against savages. Firing 
at a mark was constantly practised, and re- 
wards given to the best marksmen. To in- 
spire emulation, the riflemen and infantry 
strove to excel, and the men soon attained to 
an accuracy that gave them confidence in 
their own prowess. On the artillery the gen- 
eral impressed the importance of that arm of 
the service. The dragoons he taught to rely 
on the broadsword, as all important to victory. 
The riflemen jWere made to see how much 
success must depend on their coolness, quick- 



355 ^'^^ ^^^ TIMES 

and accuracy ; while the infantry were led to 
place entire confidence in the bayonet, as the 
certain and irresistible weapon, before whioh 
savages could not stand. The men were in- 
structed to charge in open order; and each 
to rely on himself, and to prepare for a per- 
sonal contest with the enemy. The confi- 
dence inspired, and the rapid improvement 
in discipline, are frequently mentioned with 
pleasure in the letters of the Commanding 
General, written during the autumn ; but the 
season was too far advanced before a reason- 
able force could be collected to warrant active 
operations. 

Such was the situation of the country — 
such the position of the army, and such the 
foe to be encountered at the time Ensign 
Harrison joined his regiment at Fort Wash- 
ington, which stood upon the site of the pre- 
sent beautiful city of Cincinnati, in Ohio. It 
was no holiday parade — no marching and 
counter-marching where none but friends are 
seen ; but it was active service againt an impla- 
cable assassin who stole upon his victim in the 
still hour of night, and murdered him as he 
slept unconscious of his danger. A majority 
of those the young Ensigo associated with, 



I 



OF WILLLLM HENRY HARRISON. 33 

were like himself, raw recruits, and it was 
necessary to have constant drills for the pur- 
pose of instructing the soldiers and giving them 
confidence in themselves. The command 
was wisely placed by Washington in the 
hands of Mad Anthony, and the latter kept 
his men continually at work. 

The author was speaking but a {e\v days 
since with a veteran who served under Gene- 
ral Wayne during the whole time he was in 
the vvest. In speaking of the daily exercises 
imposed upon the army, he saith, " Indeed, 
sir, the general kept us busy. We had a re- 
gular school of it, morning, noon and night, 
and Wayne did'nt give over till he thought 
we knew near about as much as he did. 
When he had to stop a bit, for, you know, it 
would not do for the soldiers to know more 
than their leader. The practising was all the 
time, and faith, sir, we weren't allowed to 
whisper in school, and hang the play we could 
take out of it, for you see there were no be- 
tween timesy 

The few last words probably give the best 
idea that we could possibly have of Mad An- 
thony's character, and at the same time form 
as handsome a compliment as could be paid 



34 LIFE AND TIMES 

him as a soldier. With him there were no 
** between times," he was constantly upon the 
alert, and always at his post. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Ensign Ilarrison reaches Fort Washington— Habits of the sol 
diers— Harrison's temperance— His first service— Gains tlie 
applause of St. Clair— Is promoted to a lieutenancy — Wayne'* 
position at Legionville— The Legion proceeds to Fort Wasliinj- 
ton, where it is joined by Lieutenant Harrison. 

Ensign Harrison readied Fort Washing- 
ton directly after the defeat of General St. 
Clair, which we have already recorded. He 
arrived in time to witness the gathering in of 
the vanquished and disheartened troops at 
that post. But a short time before they had 
marched out in all the pride of conscious 
strength. They now returned, such of ihem 
as lived to return — a mutilated, spirit-broken, 
and disorganized body. Squads came flying 
before the enemy who yet lurked in their rear 
to goad and lash and torture the conquered 
victim. 

The savage foe exulting in recent victory 
ventured almost to the very gates of the fort, 
and closely watched for another opportunity 
to glut upon the blood of the soldiery, Tho 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISOIT. 35 

whole defence of the border was in the hands 
of a few, and they having nothing fo look 
back upon but disaster and defeat. It was 
scarcely to be wondered at, that under tliese 
circumstances the way-worn soldier flew to 
his bottle for forgetfulness, and sought in 
other vices means to dispel the gloom that 
hung over his hopes. Intemperance and de- 
bauchery crept insensibly upon the officers 
as well as the privates ; and had our young 
Ensign possessed any inclination for his cup 
or his lass, he would inevitably have fallen a 
victim to one or both before he had been 
aware that the fatal clutch of the insidious 
monster was upon him. 

Public sentiment had not then pointed out 
intemperance as base and demoralizing, nei- 
ther was it considered at all wrong for a gen- 
tleman to indulge occasionally in the greatest 
inebriation. If any attempted to frown down 
the practice, he was silenced by an invitation 
to '* drink a single drop," and having tasted 
that single drop, the moralist was too often 
left ** perfectly happy" beneath the table as an 
example to all who should dare to disturb the 
rules of good-fellowship. 

The expense and privation of the army, and 



36 LIFE AND TliMES 

the exclusion from those refinincf associationfl 
daily encountered at the firesides and- in the 
parlors of the civilized, in a measure urged 
the young officers to frequent, and oftentimes, 
to alarming extents. The restraint of the 
fair, the beautiful, the virtuous and the accom- 
plished was not upon them, and they launched 
into excesses from which they would have 
shrunk in the quiet of their peaceful homes. 

Our young soldier had not entered upon his 
arduous profession with the mere intention of 
spending his time in drinking and idling. 
Far nobler were the sentiments he entertained 
of what should be the life of a soldier. He 
soon perceived that he was in a school where 
advancement depended upon his own bravery, 
and where he could not expect to gain the 
praise of his superiors except by regular habits 
and strict discipline. He saw the danger that 
beset him at a glance, and he had the good 
sense and solid resolution not to indulge in the 
vices of the garrison. In this determination 
he was supported by the advice of Generals 
St. Clair and Wilkinson. He resisted all 
temptations thrown in his way, and thus 
early laid^the foundation of those habits of 
strict soberness which he has retained through 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. . 37 

his long and useful life, and by which he has 
been enabled to encounter all manner of 
hardships, and yet to enjoy a strong and vig- 
orous constitution. 

Soon after his aiTival at Fort Washington 
it became necessary to dispatch a train of 
pack horses to Fort Hamilton, about thirty 
miles distant, upon the great Miami. This 
train was under the charge of a body of sol- 
diers from the fort, and the whole was placed 
under the command of our boy soldier. This 
was the first charge confided to his care. 
Though the distance was short, the state of 
the country and the thousands of savages peo- 
pling the whole forest, rendered the enterprize 
extremely perilous ; and constant exposure 
required uninterrupted watchfulness, and 
much more thought, attention and wisdom 
than can often be found in a lad not yet out 
of his teens. This service was performed 
with great credit to himself, and General St. 
Clair openly acknowledged his pleasure at 
the success of his young ofiicer, bestowing 
upon him the warmest praise and commenda- 
tion. He rapidly gained the entire confidence 
of his officers, and in 1792, was promoted to 
the rank of lieutenant. 
D 



38 LIFE AND TIMES 

Tn May of the year last mentioned, General 
"WAYNe repaiired to Pittsburgh, for the purpose 
of organizing his army. The manner in 
which he proceeded and the arduous duties 
he required of his officers and privates, we 
have already mentioned in a preceding chap- 
ter. Such however was the state of the army 
that he did not consider his men sufficiently 
disciplined for a march until the 27th of NoVr» 
of the same year. 

Having every thing prepared, upon that day 
he began to move his army, but when only 
twe;ity-two miles from Pittsburgh, and about 
seven miles above the mouth of Beaver river 
he stopped and encamped for the winter, on 
the Ohio. Here huts were erected for the 
whole force, the soldiers going into the com- 
fortable buildings first, and the commander 
and his officers remaining in tents until all 
the privates were accommodated in snug 
quarters. This position was strongly fortified 
and received the name of Legionville. With 
the enemy almost surrounding the place, the 
officers and men were obliged to be on the 
alert, and the most vigorous watchfulness wai 
constantly observed. 

This act of Wayne has been generally 



OF'WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 39 

passed over with too slight a notice, but we 
must here endeavour to do justice to the sa- 
giicious warrior. This army, as we have al- 
ready stated, was formed mostly of new re- 
cruits. Many had deserted before they reached 
the fort. Inexperience and dreadful tales of 
the blood-thirsty savages they were to en- 
counter, had made many of them timorous. 
Wayne disciplined them well before he left 
Pittsburgh, but he was not yet confident of 
their bravery before an enemy. He wished to 
instil into their minds a dependence upon self. 
If he had remained locked up at Pittsburgh 
during the winter, it is hardly probable that 
any thing would have occurred to call forth 
their energies. He wisely resolved to occupy 
ti more exposed position, where an occasional 
brush, in which he knew that he must always 
be successful, would inspire the soldiers with 
that confidence in themselves which he wished 
to establish, while it might serve to prove 
that the Indians were neither immortal nor 
invincible. 

Wayne had received instructions from 
Washington to conciliate the friendly tribes, 
and so soon as the army was fairly established 
iat Legionville the commander-in-chief de- 



40 LIFE AND TIMES 

spatched an invitation to Cornplanter and 
New Arrow, who were the principal chiefs of 
the Six Nations, to meet him at the garrison, 
In March, 1793, the chiefs came in, bringing 
with them Big Tree and old Guasutha. It 
was on this occasion that Cornplanter gave 
the toast respecting the Ohio river, which 
we have already quoted. The friendly In- 
dians desired a fixed boundary between the 
whites and themselves, and such wish ap 
peared neither unnatural nor unreasonable, 
so far as the tribes themselves were concerned. 
If these chiefs determined that the Ohio should 
be the Rubicon, what could be expected from 
those resolved upon a bloody war ? 

A large territory north and west of that 
river, had been transferred to Government by 
treaties and honorable purchase ; Congress 
had guaranteed this property to the officers 
and soldiers of the revolution, and a large 
portion of it was already taken up by actual 
settlement. Yet the Indians were now in- 
structed by their British allies to demand the 
relinquishment and evacuation of all that 
beautiful country. The United States could 
not comply with the terms laid down by the 
chiefs, though the refusal produced an in- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 41 

evitable and destructive war. The contest 
was not one for which the Americans could 
be censured, but was rendered unavoidable 
bj the demands of the savages. It was ne- 
cessary on otlier grounds — to teach the Indian 
wisdom and to restrain liis cruel propensities 
— to destroy forever the dangerous interference 
of a secret and insidious enemy in Europe, 
who, having been thoroughly scorched by 
his own imprudence, was now endeavoring to 
induce his rude and untutored ally to put his 
finger into the fire merely that there might be 
a proper sympathy between the two. 

In Wayne's despatches to government from 
Legionville, much more confidence was ex- 
pressed than had previously marked his com- 
munications from Pittsburgh. His severe dis- 
cipline had produced the desired effect, and he 
felt perfectly safe in his men. The govern- 
ment proposed the appointment of commis- 
sioners to treat with the Indians, to which the 
commander jocosely replied, that he desired 
to be present at the convention with twenty- 
five hundred of his commissioners, " with not 
a single Quaker among them.'' Adding that 
if such were the case, *' I feel confident an 
honorable peace would be the result." 
D* 



42 I>IFE AND TIMES 

Having procured a suitable number of 
boats for tlie purpose, he broke up his garrison 
at Legionville on the 30th of April, 1793, and 
conveyed his army down the river to Fort 
Washington, where Lieutenant Harrison 
joined the legion. 



CHAPTER V. 



Peace Commissioners appointed and the army detained at Fort 
Washington— Removal of the Army to Greenville— Attack OD 
a convoy of provisions — Possession taken of Fort Recovery — 
Harrison volunteers his services— Receives the public thanks 
of the Commander-in-chief- A veteran's opinion of Harrison — 
Sukide of Big- Tree— Harrison inspects the troops— Acts of 
Great Britain — Occupation of Fort Massac — Preparations for 
an active campaign. 

The Indians having expressed a desire for 
peace, the government appointed General 
Lincoln, Colonel Pickering, and Beverly 
Randolph, to meet the chiefs at Sandusky 
still earnestly desiring to treat the savages with 
mercy, and determined to give them every op- 
portunity for an amicable adjustment of the 
prevailing difficulties. In consequence of this 
movement. General Wayne was detained at 
Fort Washington. 

Another reason for the delay was the dif- 
ficulty in procuring reinforcements and sup- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 43 

plies, yet active preparations were continually 
being made for the approaching campaign. 
The General devoted the whole of his time to 
perfecting his troops in martial discipline, fully 
aware that the pending negociations would 
not terminate satisfactorily to the government. 
He made great exertions to procure an ample 
•supply of provisions, and to call in the aid of 
one thousand mounted volunteers from Ken- 
tucky. He left no measure untried which 
could in any way benefit the garrison, and 
though he was obliged to attend to much of 
the detail of the business in person, yet true to 
his country, he persevered in his exertions 
until he found his army in a state of comfort 
and security. 

He remained in his quarters until the 7th 
of October, when he commenced a march, and 
six days after took up a position on the south 
west branch of the Miami, six miles beyond 
Fort Jefferson, and eighty from Fort Wash 
ington. To this situation he gave the name 
of Greenville, and fortified it so as to render it 
perfectly secure and impregnable to any force 
which could possibly be brought against him 
in the wilderness. 

On the 17th, an attack was made upon a 



44 LIFE AND TIMES 

convoy of provisions, consisting of ninety men, 
under Lieutenant Lowry and Ensign Boyd. 
The greater part of the escort fled on the first 
discharge, and these two officers, with thirteen 
others, non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates, bravely fell after an obstinate resistance 
against a superior force. 

The Kentucky mounted volunteers reached 
Greenville shortly after this unfortunate oc- 
currence, but as their services were not likely 
to be required during the winter, they were di- 
rected to return. 

December 23d, a detnchment of artillery 
and infantry, under the command of Major 
Burbeck, was despatched to take possession 
of the ground upon which St. Clair and his 
gallant army had been so terribly defeated on 
the 4th of November, two years before. Lieu- 
tenant Harrison, was not drafted for this ex- 
pedition, but longing for more active employ- 
ment, he volunteered for the service, and his 
assistance was accepted by the commander. 

The battle field was soon in the hands of 
the soldiers, notwithstanding the inclemency 
of the season, and a fortification was immedi- 
ately erected, to which the name of Fort Re- 
covery was given. The bones of the murder- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 45 

ed soldiers were carefully collected and inter- 
red with military honors. The same pieces 
of artillery lost on the fatal 4th of November, 
1791, were recovered, and from their thunder 
belching mouths, three times three discharges 
were fired over the remains of the western 
heroes. 

Upon the return of the troops a general 
order was issued, thanking the officers and 
men for their '* soldierly and exemplary good 
conduct during their late arduous tour of duty, 
and the cheerfulness with w^ich they sur- 
mounted every difficulty." In the same order 
we find the following compliment to Lieuten- 
ant Harrison. 

" The Commander-in-chief also requests 
Major Mills, Captains De Butts and But- 
ler, Lieutenant Harrision, and Dr. Scott, 
to accept his best thanks for their voluntary 
aid and services on this occasion." 

When Mr. Harrison first entered the ser- 
vice, he was advised by his friends, and even 
by the new acquaintances he made at Fort 
Washington, to relinquish the idea of remain- 
ing where he would be constantly subject to 
the most fatiguing duties. The arguments 
urged to induce him to retire were his extreme 



46 LIFV; AND TIMES 

youth, his early habits of study, his slight 
frmftie and delicate constitution. He had not 
th« appearance of a warrior, or one who could 
embrace the rude life of a soldier of the wil- 
derness, without injury or ruin to his health. 
So well convinced were his associates uf the 
impossibility of his undergoing the hardships 
of the service, that in a body they besought him 
to resign his commission. 

" I would as soon have thought of putting 
my wife in the service as this boy," writes an 
old soldier of St. Clair, who was at the fort 
when Mr. Harriboic first made his appear- 
ance in the army. "But I have been out 
with him," continues the veteran, *' and I find 
those smooth cheeks are on a wise head, and 
that slight frame is almost as tough as my oW'H 
weather-beaten carcase." 

Modest and retiring, when objections were 
made to his form, he would only reply, *' Try 
me." He was tried. He was often tried, but 
never found wanting. His constitution har- 
dened with his life, and he was soon able to 
encounter as much fatigue and privation as 
any man in the fort, and the reader has al- 
ready perceived that the boy commanded the 
at jtion of men, and his courage, prowess 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 47 

and talents were publicly and gratefully ac- 
knowledged by his commander. 

Shortly after the occupation of Fort Re- 
covery, a message was received by the Com- 
mander-in-chief from the Indians, proposing 
a negociation for the adjastment of all contro- 
versies ; and although Wayne was satisfied 
that the overture was only made with the in- 
tention of gaining time, yet, aware of the Presi- 
dent's desire to avoid the destruction of life, he 
felt himself obliged to acquiese in the measure 
and to open a treaty. He only required of 
the Indians the return of all American cap- 
tives, and gave them thirty days to comply with 
this demand, and to forward their proposals. 

The flag was returned with this pacific mes- 
sage, and the distinguished warrior. Big Tree, 
of the Senecas, already mentioned, imme- 
diately committed suicide. He was friendly 
to our cause, and had been the intimate friend 
of General Butler, to whose manes he had 
sworn to sacrifice three victims. He could 
not endure the idea of a peace which would 
prevent him from performing his vow, and 
therefore, put a period to an existence no 
longer of any value to himself. 

This act created much surprise in the gar- 



48 LIFE AND TIMES 

rison, tliougli it was not withont its good effect. 
The soldiers well knew the cause of the me- 
lancholy deed, and it roused them to imitate 
the example of the uncultivated savage in his 
devoted friendship, though they did not aban- 
don themselves to such useless despair. They 
resolved to avenge upon the first opportunity, 
the merciless slaughter of the heroes who fell 
at St. Clair's defeat two years previous. 
This glance of the subject suggested itself im- 
mediately to the mind of Lieutenant Harm 
SON, and he made frequent reference to the 
friendship of Big Tree, for the purpose of in 
spiring the men with similar feelings. 

His repeated appeals, and the strong light 
in which he placed the character of the Indian 
chief, soon wrought a complete change in the 
garrison, and made the soldiers eager for a 
battle, that a bloody sacrifice might be offered 
to the shades of their murdered brethren. 

Great Britain still manifested a hostile spirit 
against our country. She seized upon every 
opportunity to chastise her once rebellious 
colonies. Her fleet broke in npon our com- 
merce and impressed our men. A speech of 
Lord Dorchester, calculated to influence and 
encourage the Lidians, was freely circulated 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 4JF 

amon * the tribes. She refused to evacuate the 
posts occupied by her army in the north-west, 
and even erfl^cted a fort at the rapids of the 
Miami. 

To increase the troubles, combinations 
were forming in Kentucky to invade Louisi- 
ana, and the governor of the latter had ad- 
vanced within our territory, and thrown up a 
fortification at the Chickasaw Bluffs. The 
Indians again refused to treat, and Waynb 
found it necessary to open a correspondence 
with the Governor of Kentucky, and to garri- 
son Fort Massac, on tiie Ohio, sixty miles 
above its confluence with the Mississippi. 

Active preparations were now recommenced, 
and the Commander-in-chief waited only the 
arrival of the mounted volunteers from Ken- 
tucky, to begin his march toward the enemy. 
Tlie soldiers had acquired confidence in them- 
selves, and their general knew he had no 
longer any thing to apprehend from a decided 
action. He expected that English soldiers led 
by their proper officers, would join the Indian 
forces in case of an engagement, but his own 
men were so well drilled and disciplined, that 
this thought produced no fear as to the result. 

E 



50 LIFE AND TIMES 



CHAPTER VI. 

Assault upon Fort Recovery — The enemy repulsed — Erection 
of Fort Defiance — Wayne's overtures to the Indians rejected 
— Little Turtle's opinion of Gen. Wayne — Wayne's account 
of the battle of the 20th of August, 1794 — His praise of Har* 
rison — The exposure of the aid-de-camp. 

An escort of riflemen and dragoons, under 
the command of Major M'Mahan, was at- 
tacked under the guns of Fort Recovery, and 
a general assault made upon that post, June 
30th, 1794. A large force of British officers 
and soldiers were mingled with the Indians 
in this engagement, aiding and directing 
the movements of the whole. The on- 
set was repeatedly renewed, and the as- 
sailants were as often driven back in disorder 
and confusion. The foe numbered about 
fifteen hundred men, and his loss is said to 
have been very great. The fight was obsti- 
nate, but the enemy was eventually com- 
pletely routed, and victory perched upon the 
star-splangled banner. 

In July, General Scott again joined the 
army, with his daring mounted volunteers 
from Kentucky, and on the 8th of August, 
General Wayne advanced about 70 miles be- 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 51 

yond Greenville, and occupied a position at 
Grand Glaize, in the very rnidst of the hostile 
tribes. This movement was executed with 
tlie most consummate tact and the greatest 
rapidity ; and had not a soldier deserted and 
informed tlie English, the surprise and defeat 
of the enemy must have immediately fol- 
lowed. 

In writing to the Secretary of War, Wayne 
expresses iiimself as having " gained posses- 
sion of the grand emporium of the hostile In- 
dians in the west, without loss of blood." 
Tlie country was one of great beauty, and ex- 
hibited marks of high and extensive culti- 
vation. 

Having erected a fortress at the confluence 
of the Miami of the Lakes and the Au Glaize, 
which is called Fort Defiance, and being 
fully prepared for action at any moment, he 
resolved to give the Indians still another 
opportunity to abandon their hostilities. In 
mentioning this last effort for a conciliation, he 
expressed his expectation that the tribes would 
listen to his despatch. " But should war be 
their choice," said the gallant warrior, " that 
blood be upon their own heads. America 
shall no longer be insulted with impunity. 



52 LIFE AND TIMES 

To an all powerful and just God, I therefore 
commit myself and my gallant army." 

The proposals were rejected, although 
Little Turtle, who had planned and led 
the attack at the defeat of St. Clair, urged 
his Indians to embrace the terms. In his ap- 
peal to them, he used the following language, 
in speaking of General Wayne : 

*' We have beaten the enemy twice under 
separate commanders. We cannot expect the 
same good fortune to attend us always. The 
Americans are now led by a chief who never 
sleeps: — the night and the day arealike to 
him, and during all the time he has been 
marching upon our villages, notwithstanding 
the watchfulness of our young men, we have 
never been able to surprize him. Think well 
of it. There is something whispers me it 
would be prudent to listen to his offers of 
peace." 

The day after this speech was delivered, a 
splendid engagement took place, which re 
suited in the complete overthrow of the enemy. 
As this battle was of the greatest importance, 
we give the official account transmitted to the 
Secretary of War by the commander-in- 
chief. 



O? WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 63 

Head Quarters, ) 
Grand Glaize, 2Sth August, 1794. ) 

" Sir ; — It is with infinite pleasure that I 
HOW announce to you the brilliant success of 
the federal army under my command, in a 
general action with the combined force of the 
hostile Indians, and a considerable number 
of the volunteers and militia of Detroit, on 
the 20th instant, on the banks of the Miami 
in the vicinity of the British post and garrison, 
at the foot of the rapids. 

" The army, advanced from this place on 
the 15th instant, and arrived at Roche de Bout 
on the 18th ; the 19th we were employed in 
making a temporary post for the reception of 
our stores and bajrirao^e, and in reconnoiter- 
ing the position of the enemy, who were en- 
camped behind a thick bushy wood, and the 
British fort. 

" At 8 o'clock on the 20th, the army again 
advanced in columns, agreeably to the stand- 
ing order of march ; the legion on the right 
flank, covered by the Miami, — one brigade of 
mounted volunteers on the left, under Brigadier 
General Todd, and the other in the rear, un- 
der Brigadier General Barbee : — a select 
battalion of mounted volunteers moved in 



$if LIFE AND TIMES 

front of tlie legion, commanded by Major 
Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently 
advanced — so as to give timely notice for the 
troops to form, in case of action — it beirig 
yet undetermined whether the Indians would 
decide for peace or war. After advancing 
about five miles, Major Price's corps received 
so severe a fire from the enemy, who were se 
creted in the woods and high grass, as to com 
pel them to retreat. 

" The legion was immediately formed in 
two lines, principally in a close, thick wood, 
which extended for miles on our left ; and for a 
very considerable distance in front, the ground 
being covered with old fallen timber, probably 
occasioned by a tornado, which rendered it 
impracticable for cavalry to act with effect, 
and afforded the enemy the most favorable 
covert for their savage mode of warfare, they 
were formed in three lines within supporting 
distance of each other, and extending nearly 
two miles, at right angles with the river. 

*' I soon discovered from the weight of the 
fire, and the extent of their lines, that the 
enemy were in full force in front, in posses- 
fiion of their favorite ground, and endeavoring 
to turn our left flank. I therefore gave orders 
for the second line to advance, to support the 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 55 

first, and directed Major General Scott to 
ffain and turn the riujlit flank of the savajjes, 
with the whole of the mounted volunteers, by 
a circuitous route ; at the same time I or- 
dered the front line to advance with trailed 
arms and rouse the Indians from tlieir coverts 
at the point of the bayonet ; and when up, to 
deliver a close and well directed fire on tlieir 
backs, followed by a brisk charge, so as not to 
give them time to load again. I also ordered 
Oaptain Miss. Campbell, who commanded 
the legionary cavalry, to turn the left flank 
of the enemy next the river, which af 
forded a favorable field for that corps to act 
in. All these orders were obeyed with spirit 
and promptitude ; but such was the impetu- 
osity of the charge of the first line of in- 
fantry, that the Indians and Canadian militia 
and volunteers were driven from all their co- 
verts in so short a time, that although every 
exertion was used by the oflicers of the second 
line of the legion, and by Generals Scott, 
Todd and Barbee, of the mounted volun- 
teers, to gain their proper positions ; yet but a 
part of each could get up in season to par- 
ticipate in the action ; the enemy being driven, 
in the course of one hour, more than two 



66 LIFE AND TIMES 

miles, through the thick M'oods already men* 
tioned, by less than one half their numbers. 

*' From every account, the enemy amounted 
to two thousand combatants ; the troops ac- 
tually engaged against them were short of nine 
hundred. This horde of savages, with their 
allies abandoned themselves to flight, and dis- 
persed with terror and dismay, leaving our 
victorious army in full and quiet possession of 
the field of battle, which terminated under the 
influence of the guns of the British garrison 
as you will observe by the inclosed correspon- 
dence between Major Campbell, the com 
mandant, and myself, upon the occasion. 

*' The bravery and conduct of every oflicer 
belonging to the army, from the generals down 
to the ensigns, merit my highest approbation. 
There were, however, some whose rank and 
situatiftn placed their conduct in a very con- 
spicuous point of view, and which I observed 
with pleasure and the most lively gratitude > 
among whom I beg leave to mention Brigadier 
General Wilkinson, and Colonel Hamtranck, 
the commandants of the right and left wings of 
the legion, whose brave example inspired the 
troops ; and to these I must add the names of 
my faithful and gallant aids-de-camp, Cap* 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 57 

taina De Butts and T. Lewis, and Lieu- 
tenant Harrison, who, with the adjutant gen- 
eral, Major Mills, rendered the most essen- 
tial services by communicating my orders in 
every direction, and by their conduct and 
bravery exciting the troops to press for victory. 
Lieutenant Covington, upon whom the com- 
mand of the cavalry now devolved, cut down 
two savages with his own hand, and Lieu- 
tenant Webb one, in turning the enemy's left 
flank. 

" The wounds received by Captains Slough 
and Prior, and Lieutenants Campbell, 
Smith (an extra aid-de-camp to General 
Wilkinson) of the legionary infantry, and 
Captain Van Rensellaer, of the dragoons, 
and Captain Rawlins, Lieutenant M'Kenney, 
and Knsign Duncan, of the mounted volun- 
teers, bear an honorable testimony to their 
bravery and conduct. 

^" Captains H. Lewis and Brock, with 
their companies of light infantry, had to sus- 
tain an unequal fire for some time, which they 
6U[)ported with fortitude. In fact, every of- 
ficer and soldier who had an opportunity to 
come into action, displayed that true bravery 
which will always insure success. 



58 LIFE AND TIMES 

'* And liere permit me to declare, that I 
never discovered more true spirit and anxiety 
for action, than appeared to pervade the whole 
of the mounted volunteers ; and I am well 
persuaded that had the enemy maintained 
their favorite ground but for one half hour 
longer, they would have most severely felt the 
prowess of that corps. 

" But whilst I pay this just tribute to the liv- 
ing I must not forget the gallant dead ; among 
•whom we have to lament the early death of 
those worthy and brave officers. Captain 
Miss. Campbell of the dragoons, and Lieu- 
tenant TowLES of the light infantry of the 
legion, who fell in the first charge. 

" Inclosed is a particular return of the 
killed and wounded — the loss of the enemy 
was more than double that of the federal 
army. The woods were strewed for a con- 
siderable distance with the dead bodies of the 
Indians, and their white auxiliaries ; the lat- 
ter armed with British muskets and bayonets. 

** We remained three days and nights on 
♦he hanks of the Miami, in front of the field 
of Dattle, during which all the houses and 
cornfields were consumed and destroyed for 
a considerable distance, both above and below 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 59^ 

Fort Miami, as well as within pistol-shot of 
that garrison, who were compelled to remain 
tacit spectators of this general devastation and 
conflagration — among which were the bouses, 
stores and property of Colonel M'Kee, the 
British Indian Agent, and principal stimulator 
of the war now existing between the United 
States and the savages. 

" The army returned to this place on the 
27th by easy marches, laying waste the vil- 
lages and cornfields for about fifty miles on 
each side of the Miami ; there remain yet a 
number of villages, and a great quantity of 
corn to be consumed or destroyed, upon Au 
Glaize and the Miami, which will be effected 
in the course of a few days. In the interim 
we shall improve Fort Defiance, and as soon 
as the escort returns with the necessary sup- 
plies from Greenville and Fort Recovery, the 
army will proceed to the Miami villages, in 
crder to accomplish the object of the cam- 
jiuign. 

" It in, however, not improbable that the 
enemy may make one more desperate effort 
against the army ; as it is said that a reinforce- 
ment was hourly expected at Fort Miami, from 
Niagara, as well as numerous tribes of Indians, 



60 LIFE AND TIMES 

living on tlie iTiart.nns and lakes. This is a 
business rather to be wished for than dreaded, 
as long as tlie army remains in force. Their 
numbers will only tend to confuse the savages, 
and the victory will be more complete and 
decisive — and which may eventually insure a 
permanent and happy peace. 

" Under these impressions, I have the honor 
to be, 

" Your most obedient, 

" And very humble servant, 

" Anthony Wayne. 
" The Hon. Major-General Knox, ) 
Secretary of PFiar." ) 

It will be seen by this communication of the 
Commander-in-chief, that the service in which 
Mr. Harrison had engaged was no child's 
play. Men were expected to do their duty, 
and they were thrown forward by their heroic 
general where they were compelled to rely 
upon their own prowess and bravery. The 
open fire and rapid charge were new and dan- 
gerous finovements, originating with Mad 
Anthony, and he fully proved in this cam- 
paign that Ms was the true system of battling^ 
with the Indians, While the savage was per- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 61 

roitted to stand quietly behind his tree, and 
load and lire in safety, every ball carried death ; 
but when an impetuous assault drove him from 
his shelter, and destroyed the power of using 
the rifle on which he depended altogether, or 
nearly so, he lost all hope and abandoned 
himself to a flight, oftentimes as dangerous as 
precipitate. 

In the engagement recorded. Lieutenant 
Harrison acted as aid, in which employment 
he was constantly exposed, being despatched 
with ordi-i's to almost every quarter of the field, 
and frequently compelled to ride into the 
thickest of the battle, and before the incessant 
discharge of the enemy, to make his commu- 
nications to the officers, 

The Campaign of Wayne was an admirable 
school for a young and daring soldier, and 
through his whole life, our brave lieutenant 
gave continual evidence that he had prafited 
by the lessons he there received. 



62 LIFE AND TIMES 



CHAPTER Vn. 

Conduct of Major Campbell — Survey of Fort Miami— Observation 
and conduct of Buckongahelas— He and tlie Turtle renounce 
the English — Negotiations opened — Treaty concluded — Effect 
produced in England by Wayne's victory— Emigration renew- 
ed—Mr. Harrison promoted to a Captaincy, and placed in com- 
mand of Fort Washington— French intrigues— Powers conferred 
upon Captain Harrison— His marriage. 

Immediately after the action recorded in 
the preceding chapter, the Commauder-in- 
cliief received a communication from M^yor 
Campbell, the British commandant of the 
Fort Miami, requesting to be informed, whether 
he was to consider the American army as 
enemies, being ignorant of any war existing 
between the King, his master, and the United 
States. The correspondence which ensued, 
and wliich the reader will find in the appendix 
to this volume, determined General Wayne to 
examine Fort Miami thoroughly, and if neces- 
sary, take it. He had authority for such a 
course in case the fort at all obstructed his 
operations, and his army was just in the right 
spirit for the enterprize. Flushed with the 
recent glorious victory, his men would have 
marched directly to the mouths of the Britibh 
cannon, had he but given the word. He had 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 63 

the sagacity to perceive that such an enterprize 
might again involve the States with Great 
Britain, and therefore concluded to take no 
notice of it unless he found the measure ab- 
solutely necessary for the success of his cam 
paign. 

The work was thoroughly examined. The 
general himself, accompanied by a troop of 
dragoons, approached within one hundred 
yards of the fort, where he halted a few mo- 
ments to survey the spot. Accompanied by 
his aids, De Butts and Harrison, he pre- 
sently moved slowly on toward the fortress. 
When within sixty yards of one of the bastions, 
the English gunners were seen leaning over 
the cannon, with lighted torches in their 
hands. One piece was brought to a recover, 
ready to fire. Harrison drew the attention 
of the general to the circumstance, remarking 
that he wouM be shot immediately. The 
general cooly replied, that the sentinel dare 
not fire. 

The next moment Wilkinson came up 
with his staff, at a hand gallop, and an officer 
was seen in the bastion, endeavoring to pre- 
vent the soldiers from firing. Wayne checked 
bis horse, and slowly retired, followed by his 



64 LIFE AND TIMES 

friends. Letter, No. III., in the appendix re- 
fers to this. 

The spirit of the Indians was much subdued 
by the battle, and they began to examine into 
the conduct of the British with the closest 
scrutiny. 

Dawson states that there were two compa- 
nies of British militia from Detroit, .in the en- 
gagement, and yet the gates of Fort Miami 
were shut against the retreating Indians. The 
great war chief Buckongahelas was the first 
to observe this, and he immediately determined 
to abandon the English. He placed his tribes 
in canoes and proceeded up the river. Being 
requested so to do, he landed when near the 
British fort, and demanded of the officer, 
*' what have you to say to me ?" being told 
that the commanding officer wished to speak 
with him, he replied, ** then he may come 
Iiere." *' He will not do that, and you will 
not be permitted to pass unless you attend 
him," was the reply. " What shall prevent 
mel" demanded the daring savage. *' These 
guns," was the reply, pointing to the English 
cannon. The answer of the chief was as 
severe as true, " I fear not your cannon," 
said he, "after suflfering the Americans to 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 65 

defile your spring without daring to fire on 
them, you cannot expect to frighten Buckon- 
GAHELAS," and speaking to his men in hi.f 
own language, he ordered the canoes to be 
pushed off, and passed the fort unmolested. 
From that hour he refused to have any com- 
munication with the British, and on his death 
bed in 1804, advised his tribe to rely upon the 
friendsliip of the United States. 

The Turtle also renounced the English 
and became the advocate of peace with the 
United States ; not from fear for he was a 
stranger to the feeling, but in consequence of 
the conduct of the British toward their de- 
feated allies. As we shall have occasion 
hereafter to speak more at large upon the 
character of this warrior, we leave his defence 
for the present. 

January 1st, 1795, the Indians opened a 
negocia^;ion for peace, agreeing to surrender 
all captives — to ratify all former treaties, and 
to comply with such general terms as should 
be imposed by General Wayne. They also 
gave hostages tor the faithful performance of 
their obligations. 

Shortly after, a treaty was finally concluded 
fit Greenville, by which the Indians relia- 
F* 



66 LIFE AND TIMES 

quiijilied an immense territory to defray the 
expenses of the war and abandoned certain 
parts important to the United States. The 
news of Wayne's victory reaching England 
in Nov., 1794, enabled Mr, Jay to conclude 
most advantageously for our government, the 
negociation which liad been long pending be- 
tween him and Lord Grenville. One im- 
portant stipulation in Jay's treaty, was the 
surrender to the United States of all the forts 
held and occupied by the British, in the 
north-west, within the jurisdiction of our gov- 
ernment. The settlers had now uninlerupted 
possession of the disputed territory, and emi- 
gration rapidly progressed. 

Upon the close of the campaign, Mr. Har- 
rison was promoted to a captaincy, though 
still retaining his rank as aid-de-camp to 
General Wayne, and placed in command of 
Fort Washington, under circumstances which 
proved the confidence of the comijiander-in- 
chief, and the exalted opinion entertained by 
that officer for the integrity, intrepidity and 
discretion of his young pupil. The American 
troops, arms, ammunition and provisions, 
intended for the forts evacuated by the 
British, were to be sent to Captain Harrison, 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 67 

and by liirn forwarded to tlieir respective sta- 
tions. 

The French intrigues in Kentucky were 
still going forward for an invasion of Louisi- 
ana, and many wealthy and intelligent per- 
sons had already connected themselves with 
the proposed expedition. The object repre 
sented to the Americans, and which they ear- 
nestly desired was the uninterrupted right to 
navigate the Mississippi, which the Spanish 
government at that time denied. General 
Wayne still kept up the correspondence with 
the governor of Kentucky, to which allusion 
has already been made, and Captain Harri- 
son was instructed to keep the general advised 
of all movements toward the south, and to 
prevent the passage of the boats of the French 
agents over the river, laden with military 
stores. Discretionary powers of alniost un- 
limited extent were also given to the young 
officer, to be used as circumstances might re 
quire. " It is no slight evidence," says Hall 
ill his memoir of Harrison, ** of the prudence, 
ability and intelligence of Harrison, that ct 
an early age, and with the rank only of Cap- 
tain, he was selected by the discriminating 
Wayne to discharge duties so important, and 



68 LIFE AND TIMES 

to exercise a responsibility so delicate. It is 
enough to say, that in this, as well as on vari- 
ous subsequent trusts reposed in him through- 
out a long career, he honorably vindicated, 
by his fidelity and zeal, the choice of the ap- 
pointing power." 

At this time he was just turned of twenty- 
two years of age, and the talent, fortitude and 
wisdom of his youth, increased with his years 
and marked every act of his eventful and glo- 
rious career. He remained at Fort Wash- 
ington discliarging his arduous and compli- 
cated duties with boldness, punctuality and 
uncommon intelligence ; and while there mar- 
ried tlie daughter of John Cleves Symmes, 
the founder of the Miami settlements. *' She 
has been," says Hall, *' the faithful com- 
panion of this distinguished patriot, during 
the various perils and vicissitudes of his 
eventful life, and still lives to witness the ma- 
turity of his fame, and the honors paid him bj 
a ^[rateful country.'* 






OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Captain Harrison leaves the army, and is appointed Secretary 
of the Nortli-western Territory— Condition of the country- 
Manner of selling pubhc lands— Mr. Harrison chosen delegate 
to Congress — He is appointed chairman of a committee to in- 
vestigate the land laws — Reports a bill — The bill passed — The 
Tenitory divided, and Mr. Harrison appointed Governor of 
the new Territory of Indiana. 

On the death of General Wayne, wliich oc- 
curred ill 1797, Captain Harrison left the 
army, and received liis first civil appointment, 
as Secretary of the North-western Territory, 
and cx-ojicio^ Lieutenant Governor. We liave 
gone witli him through his early military ca- 
reer, and have seen him even at the age of 
eighteen, manfully battling with the enemies 
of his country, and exposing his life constantly 
and for years after in defence of the border 
settlements. We have now to view him in a 
new light — he has in a measure doffed the 
sword and plume, and brought his mighty in- 
tellect to the civil service of his fellow- 
citizens. 

The early settlers of the western wilderness 
had trials, hardships and privations to endure 
almost incredible to us of the present day, and 
the beautiful garden spots now blooming in 
all the luxury of cultivation, give no idea of 



70 LIFE AND TIMES 

the thorn and the oak, the bed of earrth and 
the covering of clouds which were at that time 
the hourly companions of the hardy pioneers. 
The forest was their home, and the panther 
and the wolf, howled the night through, 
around their rude log tenements. Their food 
was the game of the woods, which they pro- 
cured by their rifles, and the only luxury 
they enjoyed may be said to have been the 
sleep of the weary. Beside these they still 
had to encounter the savages, and frequent 
murders were committed, of the most out- 
rageous character and in cool blood. 

AH shared alike the privations and labor, 
and all lived alike in the rough log cabins. 
With Mad Amthony, one of the bravest and 
most daring soldiers, Mr. Harrison had 
learned the art of war. Among the hardiest 
set of men — men ready to buff'et wind, wea- 
ther and the beasts of the forest — in a wild, 
uncultivated district, open to constant and 
sudden dangers, he commenced the study of 
civil improvement. He may truly be said, to 
have begun with the great west, and to have 
grown with it. He gathered instruction from 
his association with the farmers, soldiers and 
pioneers — listened to their wants, and did all 
in his power to serve and benefit them. 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 71 

At that time the public lands were disposed 
of by the government, in tracts of four thou- 
sand acres, and an individual could not pur- 
chase less. The effect of this erroneous sys- 
tem was, in a measure to exclude actual set- 
tlers, while men of fortune could take up 
large tracts and enter upon splendid specula- 
tions f)y retailing their property in small farms. 
The men who generally settle a new country 
are extremely poor. They go forward with 
the rifle and axe, and clear their lands and 
provide food for their families. They are ud- 
able to buy large estates, or were they pos- 
sessed of sufficient means of doing so, they 
do not want more than they can readily 
till. 

The governmental arrangement we have 
alluded to, greatly retarded the growth of the 
western country, and to protect settlers from 
the enormous exactions of the rich speculator, 
it became necessary to have new laws for the 
sale of lands, by which small farms could be 
purchased immediately from government at 
the stated prices. 

The year following, the North-eastern Ter- 
ritory entered upon the second grade of ter 
ritorial government, and was entitled to repre- 



73 LIFE AND TIMES 

sentation by a delegate in Congress. Mr, 
Harrison liad been the first to point out to 
the people tlie embarrassment produced by 
tl»e land law, and they now chose him as 
their first delegate. 

His associates in Congress were men of 
the first order of intellect, and he here again 
profited by words of instruction from the lips 
of the wise. Bayard, Gallatin and Mar- 
shall were men from whom the erudite could 
still gather knowledge, and the youthful dele- 
gate and intrepid soldier, ever ready to learn, 
listened with eagerness to their profound sug- 
gestions. 

He soon offered a resolution for the ap- 
pointment of a committee to investigate and 
report upon the existing manner of disposing 
of public lands. Of this committee, he was 
selected chairman, and *' it is believed," says 
Hall, " this is the only instance in which 
that distinction has been conferred upon a 
territorial delegate." He shortly after, re- 
ported upon his resolution and also presented 
a bill, the main clause of which reduced the 
size of tracts from four thousand acres to al- 
ternate half and quarter sections ; or, al- 
ternate traplt^ of three hundred and twenty 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 73 

and one hundred and sixty acres. This was 
for the express purpose of placing purchases 
within the immediate reach of the farmer and 
the actual settler. 

The report accompanying the bill gave a 
clear and distinct view of the true position of 
the population of his territory, and the great 
disadvantages under which the people labored. 
It gained for the new delegate a reputation 
unprecedented for so young a man, and upon 
his first appearance in the political arena. 

When the bill came up for discussion, it 
was violently attacked by Mr. Lee of Vir- 
ginia, and Mr. Cooper, of New York ; but 
the mover alone defended his project, and dis- 
closed a perfect knowledge of his subject. 
He examined the old system — pointed out its 
injurious effects — showed that the rich man 
was benefited by it, and that the poor must 
and did suffer. He stood before his country, 
upon the floor of the House of Representa- 
tives, the champion of the people — to defend 
them against the unwarrantable speculations 
of the wealthy, and to secure to them equal 
advantages with their rich neighbors. Hi« 
eloquent argument had the desired effect, and 
the bill passed the House triumphantly. 



74 ■ LIFE AND TIMES 

The Senate however, refused to pass the 
billT and committees of conference were ap- 
pointed — Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Harrison 
on the part of the House, and Mr. Ross and 
Mr. Brown on the part of the Senate. So 
great was the opposition now, that Mr. Har<- 
RisoN was compelled to submit to a com- 
promise, by which the public lands were 
thereafter to be sol-d in alternate whole and 
half sections, or tracts of six hundred and 
forty and six hundred and twenty acres. 

In producing the report, Mr. Gallatin 
greatly assisted the western delegate, and as 
soon as the object was accomplished, Mr. 
Harrison gave his friend due credit for his 
valuable assistance. He wished to do so at 
once, but was prevented by the earnest re- 
quest of Mr. Gallatin himself. 

The bill became an act, and the people of 
the west have been, we may say, made by it. 
It is stated on good authority, that had the 
passage of the bill been delayed one year, a 
large portion of Ohio would have been sold 
off in four thousand acre tracts to capitalists, 
to the exclusion of the hardy settlers who have 
since placed that whole state in her present 
bright and happy conditio^n. 



t)P WILXtAM HENRY HARRISON. 75 

Mr. Harrison next offered a resolution 
<r1ianging the manner of treating- military 
land-warrants. A committee was appointed, 
tind a proper bill introduced which became a 
law. 

Thus early in life we find Mr. Harrison 
contending manfully for the rights of the peo- 
ple and practising upon the noble principles 
laid downby his distinguished father: nor has 
the son ever for a single moment, lost 
sight of or neglected to follow the patriotic 
precepts and example of his honored parent. 
The success of the delegate was manifest 
throughout t^ie whole nortli-western countiy, 
and may now be witnessed in tbe prosperity 
of millions of intelligent freemen. The part 
he took gained him great popularity, and the 
settlers at once forwarded ao immense num- 
ber of petitions, requesting the. President to 
-appoint Me. Harrison governor of tbe North- 
western Territory. He himself opposed the 
object of these petitions, being unwilling to 
permit iiis nam« to come in co-mpetition with 
that of his esteemed and venerable friend, 
St. Clair. 

About this time liowever, that which now is 
die State of Ohio, was created a territory by 



76 LIFE AND riMES 

itself, and the remainder of the North-western 
Territory received the name of Indiana, being 
erected into a separate government. Having 
served but one year in Congress, Mr Har- 
rison was, at the almost universal request of 
the inhabitants, appointed by the President, 
governor of the Territory of Indiana. 

Mr. Harrison early identified himself with 
the republican party ; — has been, at all times, 
the champion of the people, and a zealous 
advocate for the diffusion of the pure prin- 
ciples of democracy. His constant and in- 
defatigable exertions for the people of the 
west, procured for him that title which has 
been conferred by general consent — the 
Father of the North- Western Territory. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Situation of the Country— Stations— Massacre of a settler's 
family— British interference— The Governor's powers and du- 
ties — The Territory enters upon the second grade of govern- 
ment — The Governor recovers damages against a slanderer — 
His conduct upon the sale of the libeller's property — He de- 
clines fees for Indiana licenses — His pay as Indiana Commis- 
sioner—His popularity— Manner of doing public business. 

At the time Mr. Harrison received the ap- 
pointment of Governor of the Territory of 
Indiana, that pounlry was under the first form 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 77 

of territorial government, and almost un- 
limited power was vested in the executive. 
It was a vast domain including the wivole ter- 
ritory of the United States beyond the Missis- 
sippi and Ohio, except that which is now the 
State of Ohio ; and from J 803 to 18G5, the 
whole of upper Louisiana was also embraced 
under the jurisdiction of Governor Harrison. 

The people had no voice whatever in their 
own affairs. New institutions were to be 
formed, and all power was delegated to the 
territorial governor. The population was 
small, and widely scattered. There were but 
three settlements of any size in the whole ter- 
ritory—one at the falls of the Ohio, opposite 
Louisville, another at Vincennes, five hun- 
dred miles distant, and the third, the French 
towns on the Mississippi, extending from 
Kaskaskia to Cahokia, atid two hundred 
miles from Vincennes. 

The intermediate country was the scene of 
constant difficulties between the Indians and 
the hunters. Robberies and barbarous mur- 
ders were almost daily occurrences, and very 
little security was enjoyed until the close of 
the war of 1812. In different quarters at- 
tacks were frequently made simultaneously, 



78 MFE AND TIMES 

and the most revolting barbarities practised. 
The only roads between the settlements were 
paths beaten by the Indians, and the only rest- 
ing places were log honses, surronnded by 
palisades, and called stations. We have one 
account of a man who was travelling west 
with his wife, two sons and a daughter. Hav- 
ing been detained by an accident, he was un- 
able to reach the station, and posting one of 
his sons as a guard, he encamped for the 
night. About midnight, the crack of a rifle 
roused the father, and seizing his gun, he was 
about to rush to the aid of his child, when a 
glimmering tomahawk flashed through the 
dim liglit, and buried itself in his body. The 
Indians had shot the sentry, and now butch- 
ered the whole family except the daughter, 
who was a beautiful girl about sixteen year? 
of age. She was retained, and forced to be- 
come the wife of one of the Indian mur- 
derers. Two years after she effected her es- 
cape, and told the story of the massacre. 
This is but one case out of hundreds. 

The seat of government was at Vincennes, 
on the Wabash ; a town inhabited principalljr 
by French people. The British traders car- 
ried on an extensive and profitable busineai 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISO^f. 79 

with the Indians, and jealous of the increas- 
ing population of the new country, pains were 
taken to prejudice the minds of the savages 
against our government. The traders were 
stimuhited to this proceeding by their home 
government, for England could not even yet 
reconcile the idea of the United States remain- 
ing a free country, and preparatory to another 
war, was anxious to enlist the savage tribes ia 
her favor. 

The Governor had all these evils to contend 
against, and on him chiefly devolved the adop- 
tion of such laws of the original states as 
were deemed necessary He also appointed 
all magistrates and other civil officers, and 
all militia officers below the grade of general. 
It remained with him also to divide the coun- 
try into counties and townships. He could 
pardon. He was the agent and representa- 
tive of the general government, and could 
confirm grants of land to a numerous class of 
individuals, having certain claims specified 
in the law. The application was made di- 
rectly to the Governor, and his signature was 
alone sufficient to confirm a title unquestion- 
able before any legal tribunal. Although this 
power was so susceptible of abuse ; such was 



60 LIFE AND TIMES 

the prudence of Governor Harrison, and 
such his scrupulous attention to the interests 
of the public, and delicate rejjard for his ho- 
nor, that iiis duty was discharged without a 
single suspicion of his integrity. 

Mr. Jefferson appointed Governor Har- 
rison, sole commissioner for treating with the 
Indians. Here his time was wholly occupied 
and he had the disbursement of larj;e sums of 
money, appropriated by Congress for annui- 
ties to the tribes and for purchasing lands. 
He conducted this trust with great discreet 
ness, and acquired an uncommon influence 
over the Indians. His administration is de- 
clared to have been nearly a succession of 
treaties,* by one of which he secured to the 
United States fifty one millions of acres of 
the richest country in the west, and the most 
valuable mineral region in the Union. 

The Territory entered upon the second 
grade of government in 1805, and by this the 
people were allowed a legislature. They 
elected members to the lower house, and this 
branch nominated ten persons, out of whom 
Congress chose five, who constituted the less 
numerous branch. 

• Hall. 



OP WILLUM HENRY HARRISON. 81 

Although this change deprived the governor 
of much power and patronage, yet he ear- 
nestly advocated the alteration, and felt greatly 
relieved when the new legislature assumed 
many of the enormous responsibilities, which 
previously had rested alone upon the executive. 

Governor Harrison brought a suit against 
a person who had thrown out some malicious 
hints in reference to his negociations with the 
Indians. The charge was fresh — the tes- 
timony at hand, and a complete investigation 
was had before the Supreme Court. Two 
judges left the bench — one, a friend of the 
Governor, and the other of the defendant. 

The trial had not fiir advanced, when the 
defendant's council gave up the plea of jus- 
tification, and contended only for mitigation 
of damages. The jury in one hour, returned 
a verdict of four thousand dollars damages for 
the Governor. This was an enormous verdict 
for a new country. The defendant's property 
was sold, and bought in by the Governor's 
agent. Shortly after two thirds of the pro- 
perty were returned by the Governor to his 
slanderer, and the remainder was given to the 
orphans of some of the soldiers who had 
fallen in battle 



82 LIFE AND TIMES 

So far from ever even attempting to benefit 
himself, although he might have done so with 
perfect justness and integrity in many in- 
stances, he refused every opportunity to profit 
by his own powers. Nay, further : he even 
went so far as to sometimes refuse that which 
was his honest due under the laws, lest some 
one might accuse him wrongfully, or that the 
mere appearance might have an injurious ef- 
fect upon others. When appointed ex-officio 
Governor of upper Louisiana, he knew that 
the president earnestly wished to convince the 
inhabitants ot the newly acquired territory of 
the corruption under which they had lived and 
the fairness and honor of our government ; 
and to aid the intentions of Mr. Jefferson, 
Governor Harrison declined receiving the 
fees for Indian licenses, which would have 
brought him at least two or three thousand 
dollars, and to which he was justly entitled by 
law. 

While acting as commissioner his com- 
pensation was six dollars a day and expenses, 
and it was left with himself to say when he 
was acting under his commission, and when 
under that of superintendent ; and although 
he held the first commission ^or eleven years. 



or WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 83 

and during tliat time negotiated no less than 
thirteen treaties, yet the whole charge made 
for such services in tliat time amounted only 
to about five thousand dollars. 

He also repeatedly refused to purchase pro- 
perty or to become interested in the purchases 
of others, though frequently solicited, and hav- 
ing constant opportunity to amass splendid 
fortunes.* 

The various addresses of Governor Har 
RiHON to the legislature, show a remarkable 
clearness of perception and perspicuity of 
style. He never neglected the recommenda 
tion of any measure which he considered ne- 
cessary to be adopted ; and never advised the 
passage of any act, without giving the most 
profound and convincing reasons for his ad- 
vocacy. To enable the public to judge of his 
abilities, several specimens of his writings are 
introduced in the appendix. 

The extensive and almost unlimited powers 
given to territorial governors, render it dif- 
ficult for them to maintain anything like popu- 
larity. The people are apt to become dis- 
satisfied with being ruled by a governor in 

* See a letter from General Harrison, dated " North Bend, 
Oct. 19, 1839." in the sippendix. 



64 LIFE AND TIMES 

whose appointment they have no choice. 
They become suspicious of his intentions and 
impatient under his authority. These feelings 
are particularly visible among the settlers of 
a new country. Men who make themselves 
—who hew their way through life, and by a 
natural independence and stubborn integrity 
are constantly accustomed to examine for 
themselves — are not often content to remain 
under an authority not of their own selection. 
This repugnance however, was never felt to- 
ward Governor Harrison. His manner was 
conciliating, and he always commanded re- 
spect, while he also engaged the warm affec- 
tions of the people. He used the extensive 
authority placed in his hands, with wisdom and 
discretion. In appointments to office under 
him, he always consulled the people and se- 
lected those who enjoyed the confidence of 
their fellow-citizens. To this principle he 
sacrificed even personal and political feeling 
— frequently appointing to office men in every 
way opposed to himself. 

During nearly the whole of his life he has 
been intrusted with immense sums of money, 
yet he so managed his accounts as never to 
have a large amount on hand, while he skill* 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 85 

fully contrived to save the government the 
risk and expense of transporting money to 
the west, by transmitting to Washington drafts 
and receipts at the same time. 



CHAPTER X. 

Extract from the Governor's first itieosage to the Indiana LegiS' 
lature— Tlie Governor's exertions m behalf of the Indian* 
—Conduct of Buckongahelas-Notice of Little Turtle-His eil^ 
deavours to prevent the sale of liquor to his tribe— He Is in- 
oculatedi and takes some matter to inoculate other Indians. 

Governor Harrison constantly endeavored 
to reconcile the Indians to their condition, and 
to supply as far as possible, their necessities. 
Measures were adopted by which their com* 
munications with the British were greatly 
abridged, and they were forced to procure 
from the Americans their arms and ammuni- 
tion. Large sums of money were appro- 
priated to their use by the United States, and 
agents were employed to instruct thetn in such 
acts of civilized life as they were capable of 
receiving. 

A law had been passed by Congress, to pre- 
vent the sale of spirituous liquois to the sav- 
ages, but it had not the desired effect, being 
H 



^ LIFE AND TIMES 

fo open that constant evasions were made upon 
its tenor. In Governor Harrison's first mes- 
saj^e to the new lejjislature of the territory, 
in speaking upon this subject, he used the fol- 
lowing eloquent and feeling language : 

•' The humane and benevolent intentions 
of the government, however, will forever be 
defeated, unless effectual measures be devised 
to prevent the sale of ardent spirits to those 
unhappy people. The law which has been 
passed by Congress for that purpose, has been 
found ineffectual, because its operation has 
been construed to relate to the Indian country 
exclusively. In calling your attention to this 
subject, gentlemen, I am persuaded that it is 
unnecessary to remind you, that the article of 
compact makes it your duty to attend to it. 
The interests of your constituents, the in- 
terests of the miserable Indians, and your 
own feelings, will sufficiently urge you to take 
it into your most serious consideration, and 
provide the remedy which is to save thousands 
of your fellow-creatures. You are witnesses 
to the abuses ; you have seen our towns 
crowded with furious and drunken savages, 
our streets flowing with their blood, their arms 
and clothing bartered for the liquor that de- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISOrf. 87 

stroys them, and their miserable women and 
children enduring all the extremities of cold 
and hunger. So destructive has the progress 
of intemperance been among them, that 
whole villages have been swept away. A 
miserable remnant is all that remains to mark 
the names and situations of many numerous 
and warlike tribes. In the energetic language 
of one of their orators, it is a dreadful con- 
flagration, which spreads misery and devasta- 
tion throughout their country, and threatens 
the annihilation of the whole race. Is it then 
to be admitted as a political axiom, that the 
neighborhood of a civilized nation is incom- 
patible with the existence of savages? Are 
the blessings of our republican government 
only to be felt by ourselves? And are the 
natives of North America to experience the 
same fate with their brethren of the southern 
continent? It is with you, gentlemen, to di- 
vert from those children of nature the ruin 
that hangs over them. Nor can I believe that 
the time will be considered mispent, which is 
devoted to an object so consistent with the 
spirit of Christianity and with the principles 
of republicanism." 

The Governor now exerted every power 



OS LIFE AND TIMES 

within bis reach to induce the Indians to re* 
main quiet, and in friendship with the United 
States. His philanthropic intentions were 
much assisted by the territorial legislature and 
by many personal friends, and he had the satis- 
faction for some time, of seeing the happiest re- 
sults flow from his benevolent designs. He 
sent out repeatedly for the chiefs of various 
tribes, and succeeded in concluding with 
many, treaties advantageous to the United 
States. This indeed, he had done while the 
territory was under his own immediate con- 
trol, and he continued his efforts to relieve and 
pacify the savages during the whole lime he 
held his office. 

In 1803, a council of chiefs was held at Fort 
Wayne, for the purpose of ratifying a nego- 
tiation for land, which had been proposed at 
a former meeting at Vincennes. Buckonga 
HELAs, the Delaware chief, of whom we 
have before spoken, was present at this coun 
cil, and caused some trouble to the Governor 
The PoTAWATAMiES and some of the Miamies 
boldly seconded the Executive in all his pro- 
positions, but the Delawares and Shawanees 
opposed every movement, and when the Vin- 
cennes transaction was alluded to, the latter 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 89 

were filled with wrath and indiijrnation. " The 
respected Buckongahelas," says Dawson, 
•* so far forgot himself that he interrupted the 
Governor, and declared with vehemence, that 
nothing that was done at Vincennes was bind- 
ing upon the Indians ; and that he had then 
with him a chief who had been present at the 
transfer made by the Piankishaws to the 
Delawares of all the country between the 
Ohio and White rivers, more than thirty years 
before, 

" The Shawanees went still further, and 
behaved with so much insolence, that the Go- 
vernor was obliged to tell them that they were 
undutiful and rebellious children, and that he 
would withdraw his protection from them un- 
til they had learned to behave themselves with 
more propriety. These chiefs immediately 
left the council house in a body." 

The Shawanees afterward submitted — the 
Governor put down all opposition and carried 
his point. Buckongahelas was as obstinate 
as ever, though at his death, which occurred 
the following year, he advised his tribe to de- 
sert the English and rely upon the friendship 
of the United States. He was a daring fellow, 
and had no mean opinion of himself. At the 
H* 



W9 LIFE AND TIMES 

council of Fort Mclntoch, when the American 
officers and Indian chiefs had assentbled, it 
was he, who, without deigning to notice any 
others, advanced to the General, and takinjj 
him by tlie hand, said, " I thank tlie Great 
Spirit for having this day brought together, 
two such great warriors as Buckongahelas 
and General Clark," 

Many other hostile chiefs were through the 
wisdom and care of Governor Harrison,, 
brought to consider the United States the go- 
vernment to wliich, they should cling, and 
they abandoned forever all communicatioiii 
with the British, 

It was the Little Turtle who principally 
assisted at the council in 1803, and he ap 
pears to have renounced all connection with 
the English soon after the treaty of Green- 
ville. He frequently visited Philadelphia ixnd, 
Washington after this, and having settled 
upon Eel River, about twenty miles from Fort 
Wayne, a comfortable house was erected for 
him, and he was furnished with every reason- 
able accommodation by the American govern- 
ment. The vice of intemperance raged with 
great fury among his people, and he was ex- 
ceedingly gratified with the course pursued 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HAHRISON 91 

by Governor Harrison to prevent the sale of 
spirituous liquors to tbe Indians. He had 
seen hundreds of his besit and bravest war- 
riors at one time, in war, surprised and mas- 
sacred in their cups, on the very ground where 
he had obtained his most signal victories. 
His, pride could not brook the idea that his 
people should become beasts, and he took 
every measure in his power to stay the destruc- 
tion pouring over them. He argued and re- 
monstrated, but his influence with his tribes 
was much weakened. 

About the time of the council at Fort 
Wayne, he went before the legislature of 
Kentucky, and made an appeal to them in 
person, through his friend and interpreter, 
Captain Wells. He also made a powerful 
address to tiie legislature of Ohio. He 
begged both to interfere to prevent the traders 
from selling liquor to his people. The traders 
he described forcibly : " They stripped the 
poor Indians," said he, *' of skins, gun, 
blanket, everything, — while his squaw and the 
children dependant on him lay starving and 
sliiveringin his wigwam." 

He did all he could for his people, but his 
exertions were in a great degree useless. In 



^ LIFE AND TIMES 

1801, or 1802, while in Washington, at the so- 
licitation of the President, he and several of 
his warriors were inoculated. AVhen he 
went home, he took a quantity of vaccine 
matter, and administered the potent remedy for 
the »maIl-pox, in person. Soon after a deputa- 
tion from his tribe visited Washington to pro- 
cure more of the matter. 

Several other chiefs represented to Gover- 
nor Harrison the ruin which was desolating 
iheir towns through the influence of spiritous 
liquors. Early in this volume we represented 
the excesses of the American army at Fort 
Washington, when Mr. Harrison first joined 
the troops, and his own resolution to withstand 
all temptations to drink. He had a dreadful 
picture before, both among his countrymen 
and the tribes around the fort. He saw all the 
evils of this pernicious vice, and from that 
moment endeavored, not only to prohibit the 
sale of liquor to the Indians, but by advice 
and remonstrance to prevail upon the savages 
to abandon a custom, which carried with it 
nothing but disease, disgrace and death. 

For the purpose of showing his opinion on 
this subject in his own words, we copied the 
extract from his address to the legislature, iu 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 95 

the beginning of this chapter. The same in- 
veterate opposition to liquor has marked the 
course of his Hfe. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Governor Harrison's treatment of the Indians— His writings and 
speeches— Complimentary notices— Conduct of the hunters- 
Conduct of tlie British agents— The Governor's iniluenc* 
over the Indians— Attempt upon his life. 

In our appendix will be found several spe- 
cimens of Mr. Harrison's writings, and we 
refer to them with a conscious pride in the 
talent they disphiy. They are variously se- 
lected, that the reader may make liimself per- 
fectly acquainted with the sentiments of this 
distinguished man in the many and important 
situations he occupied. The whole tenor of 
his official communications exliibit the cul- 
tivated intellect, the reflecting mind, and the 
feeling heart. His constant anxiety to forward 
the interests of all who came under his juris- 
diction, and his unremitted exertions to ame- 
liorate the condition of the savage tribes, will 
forever redound to his honor and hand down his 
name to posterity with love and veneration. 

He never refused to hear the complaints of 
the Indians, but met their chiefs with thatdi^- 



94 LIFE AND TIMES 

nity and kindness which became his station. 
He listened patiently to tlie story of their 
wrongs, and replied to them in language con- 
ciliating and endearing. He promised to do 
all in his power to gratify their reasonable 
demands, and lie never broke liis promise. 
Though many of the tribes behaved with 
treachery to him, yet he was always calm, 
moderate and forbearing. Bold, energetic 
and fearless in the field, he was nevertheless, 
as a civil magistrate humane and considerate. 
In speaking of his character, Mr. Hall 
uses the following complimentary language. 
" He did not neglect any of the various civil 
duties which were confided to his care. All 
the departments of the government were mod- 
elled under his direction ; and in his com- 
munications to the legislature, the various 
subjects of legislation were freely discussed. 
His speeches were frank and manly ; and he 
writes with the ease, correctness and precision, 
of one who was accustomed to think with 
clearness, and who possessed in a high degree 
the faculty of fluent expression. Few of our 
public documents will be found to be couched 
in better language than those of Governor 
Harrison. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 99 

When first appointed Governor of the Ter- 
ritory of Indiana, Mr. Harrison openly de- 
clared his determination not to hold the station 
a moment longer than his ad ministration should 
be satisfactory to the people ; and at their re- 
que«t he received his successive re-appoint- 
ments from Presidents, Adams, Jefferson 
and Madison. The following were the senti- 
ments of the citizens of St Louis, when their 
connection with Indiana was about to ter- 
minate :— 

** To his Excellency William Henry Harrison, Go- 
vernor, and the honorable the Judges of the Indiana 
Territory. 

" Gentlemen : 

"An arduous public service assigned you 
by the general government of the United 
States, is about to cease. The eve of the an- 
niversary of American Independence will 
close the scene ; and on that celebrated festival 
will be organized, under most auspicious cir- 
cumstances, a government for fehe Territory of 
Louisiana. Local situation and circumstances 
forbid the possibility of a permanent political 
connection. This change, however congenial 
to our wishes, will not take effect without a 



00 LIFE AND TIMES 

respectful expression of sentiment to you, 
gentlemen, for your nssiduity, attention, and 
disinterested punctuality, in the temporary 
administration of your government of Loui- 
siana. 

♦* St. Louis, July 2, 1805*" 

Governor Harrison was presented with an 
address from the officers of the militia in the 
district of St. Louis, at the same time. The 
address concludes thus : 

** Accept, Sir, these sentiments as the 
pledge of our affectionate attachment to you, 
and to the magnanimous policy by which you 
have been guided. May the chief magistrate 
of the American nation duly estimate your 
worth and talents, and long keep yort in a 
i^tation where you have it in your power to 
gain hearts by virtuous actions, and promul- 
gate laws amonjr men who know how to res- 
pect you, and are acquainted with their own 
rights." 

At its first session the legislative council 
addressed him in the most flattering terms, 
while the house of Representatives returned 
their thanks to him for his opening speech j 
using the following words : — '* We discern 
the solicitude for the future happiness and 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISOrT. 97 

prosperity of the territory, which has uniformly 
been evinced by your past administration/' 

Many other compliments were paid to Mrt^ 
Harrison, some of which we sliali mentio» 
hereafter. 

Governor Harrison was surrounded by 
warlike tribes wlio were constantly fighting' 
and quarrelling with the white settlers; wliilcy 
as if to aggravate the trou^bles, hunters front 
Kentucky and Ohio were continually cross- 
ing intO" Indiana and destroying the game of 
right belonging to the Indinns. The deer, 
bear and buffalo, were killed, merely for their 
skins ; while the savages only took as many 
as were required for food. The Indians foun(f 
their very living daily diminishing, with the 
prospect of soon being taken from them en- 
tirely by the promiscuous mu^rder of the whites.^ 
Of this the savages complained most bitterly,, 
and the Governor endeavored to prevent the 
incursions of the hunters. 

To this was added the conduct of the Brit* 
ish agents, who were continually prejudicing 
the minds of the Indians, and furnishing them 
with liquor. When Governor Harrison would 
give notice for the meetmg of a council, these 
agents would go immediately among the tribe* 
I 



^ LIFE AND TIMES 

and endeavor to inflame them against the 
United States. In November, 1804, Colonel 
M'Kee, the English agent used the following 
language to some of the chiefs : — " My chil- 
dren, it is true that the Americans do not 
wish you to drink any spiritous liquors, and 
therefore have told their traders that they 
should not carry any liquor into your country. 
But, my children, they have no right to say 
that one of your father's traders, (meaning 
the British traders,) should carry no liquor 
among his children. ****** 

"My children, your Father, King George, 
loves his red children, and wishes his red chil- 
dren supplied with every thing they want. He 
is not like the Americans, who are continual- 
ly blinding your eyes, and stopping your ears 
with good words, that taste sweet as sugar, 
while they get all your lands from you." 

By way of retaliation for the destruction of 
their game by the hunters, the Indians would 
kill the hogs and poultry of the settlers. The 
latter became incensed at this conduct, and 
frequently demanded to be led against the 
savages. With the general government in- 
sisting upon peace and forbearance, and the 
Indians inflamed by the British traders and 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 90 

committing constant depredations — the set- 
tlers suffering for the sins of the hunters, 
Governor Harrison was placed in a most 
trying situation. It is only to be wondered 
that, — under all these* circumstances and the 
course which naturally devolved upon him, 
and which he discharged so faithfully, — he 
preserved his popularity at all. 

When the Indians came in to a council, 
they frequently brought several hundred war 
riors, as if to intimidate the Governor; and 
they often behaved with so much insolence 
that he was obliged to send them away with- 
out effecting the objects of the meeting. They 
would come armed, and their orators would 
make the most inflammatory addresses to 
their warriors ; yet the Governor was never 
known to betray the slightest fear. With but 
a handful of friends, would he meet hosts of 
these warlike and uncultivated savages — lis- 
len attentively to their appeals, and when 
the torrent of exciting native eloquence swell- 
ed to a dangerous height, with a calm dig- 
nity which never deserted him in his most 
perilous positions, he would with a few words 
spoken in a collected, though firm and deci- 
ded tone, allay instantly the rude whirlwind 



lt)0 L^FE AND TIMES 

of speech and bring down the uncouth savnge 
from his flight of insolence nnd vituperation. 

Often, when almost alone, he had peremp- 
torally dismissed hundreds of Indians, burning 
for his blood, telling them, ** They were diso- 
bedient children, and that he would listen to 
them no longer." 

On one occasion, a plot was laid to assassin 
Bate him, but he was secretly informed of it 
just about the time that a council was to meet. 
He liad but a few friends with him, and the 
Indians numbered over four hundred. Arm- 
ing a small guard, all he could raise at the 
moment, he stationed them in a concealed 
position, and with his friends, went to the 
council. Upon a preconcerted signal, a chief 
•uddenly started up and flourished his toma- 
hawk to bury it in the head of the Governor. 
The latter rose at the same moment, and pla- 
cing his hand gently upon the uplifted arm 
of the savage, spoke a few words very calmly, 
which induced the Indian to suppose that his 
plan had been betrayed, and that Grovernor 
Harrison was fully prepared for any attempt 
that might be made upon him. " Be seated, 
my friend, be seated," said the Governor, in 
A tone of decision and authority^ The chief 



OF WILLI AiM HENRY HARRISON. 101 

Stood amazed for a few moments, wliile the 
eye of the Governor was fixed upon his, and 
the tribes only waited the signal for a general 
melee. The spirit of the haughty savage was 
soon curbed, and apologizing for the assault, 
he resumed his seat and the business of the 
council proceeded. 

Frequent attempts were made upon his life, 
but fortunately for his country they all proved 
abortive. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Notice of Ol-li-wa-chi-ca and Tecutnthe— The religious princi- 
ples of the Prophet, and league of the brothers, for a concen- 
tration of the tribes. 

We are now about to introduce to the reader 
two noted Indian characters, who began about 
the year 1806 to disturb the whole frontier. 
They were brothers ; the one being a prophet, 
and the other a brave, daring, and sagacious 
warrior, an eloquent orator, and an able com- 
mander. We allude to Ol-li-wa-chi-ca* and 



* By some, we find the Prophet called Elskawatawa. Mr. 

Schoolcraft interprets this last to mean, " a fire that is moved 

from place to place." We also find his name written Olliway- 

•hila, though not upon the best authority. Mr. Thatcher, in his 

I* 



103 LIFE AND TIMES 

Tecumthe. They are said, upon good nu- 
tliority to have been members of tlie Kisho- 
poke tribe of the Shawanee nation.* 1'hese 
two, and still another — Kumshaka, were the 
offspring of the same mother at the same birlh. 
They were born, it is generally allowed, on the 
banks of the Scioto, near Chilicothe. Their 
father, a great Shawanee warrior, fell at the 
battle of Kenhawa. 'J'heii* mother was a 
Cherokee. She was taken prisoner by tiie 
Shawanees^ and adopted agreeably to the In- 
dian custom, by a family of that nation residing 
near the Miami of the Lakes. Hence some 
have considered her a Shawanee, while others 
supposed her to be a Creek. We put her 
down as a Cherokee, because Tecumthe him- 
self so infonsied a gentleman at Vincennes, 
t^nd from the fact, that at an advanced age 
€he migrated into the Cherokee country, and 
there died^ Kumshaka is supposed to have 



fndian Biog^raphy, suggests that he may have assumed different 
in&mes at different periods, and, from his character and pursuits, 
we are inclined to the same opinion. We adopt tJie one in the 
text as the name by which he is now g:enerally designated. 

• •' Shawanee," among the Delawares, means, tiie "5outh ;" 
and this tribe came originally from that section of the country. 
Mr. Heckewelderwas informed by several old Mohicans, that the 
Shawanees formerly lived in tho neighborhood of Savannah, In 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 103 

died younof, as he took no part with his bro- 
thers in their extensive operations. 

Some of the Shawanees iiave nsserted, that 
Tecumthe, at a very early age, was in an 
engagement with tlie Kentucky troops, and 
that he most tingallantly fled from the field, 
whilst his brother matifnlly stood his gronnd. 
Be that as it may, he never shrunk after. His 
cowardly conduct upon this occasion, is attri- 
buted to his extreme youth. By the time he 
was twenty-five, (about the year 17S5,) lie had 
acquired a great reputation among the Indians 
as a bold and feaHess warrior. He intercepted 
more boats of the whites upon tiie Ohio, and 
plundered more houses of the settlers, than 
auvy Indian of his age« He was a perfect wa^p 
among the Kentucky pioneers, who frequently 
•pursued him but were never so fortunate as 
to overtake him. Upon siich occasions, he 
■would retreat to the banks of his favorite Wa- 
'bash, tintil the storm was hushed ; and when 
Hiey were quietly returning to their domestic 
avocations, he would sweep like an over- 
charged torrent down «pon the settlements. It 
h said that he never retained any of the plun- 
der for himself, but gave all to his followers., 
satisfied with the glory of his achievements as 



104 LIFE AND TIMES 

his only reward. In these irruptions upon the 
border towns, he was but schooling himself 
for the grand scenes which he afterward 
planned, and to a certain extent executed. 

The brothers conceived the project of uni 
ting all the eastern tribes in a terrible war 
against the Americans. The two having evi- 
dently agreed upon a system of operations, 
Ol-li-wa-chi-ca began in 1804, to inculcate 
among the Indians a reformed religion. In 
the course of his preaching it appears that 
he frequently changed the doctrines himself — 
those tenets that became unpopular among 
the disciples, were abandoned for more at- 
tractive and more fascinating principles. He 
began by explaining the inconsistency of the 
Indians in assuming the manners and dress 
of the whites — censured the introduction of 
spiritous liquors, and talked of the diseases, 
contentions and wars, produced by the con- 
tiguity of the residences of the white and 
red men. He showed the latter how fast 
their means of subsistence were diminishing, 
and how their territory was contracting daily. 
He then pictured to them the peaceful, happy, 
and contented lives of their forefathers. 
^ Having by these appeals and declarations 



■OT WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON- 10& 

l^roduced a feeling in his favor, he next went 
'&n to convince tliem of his own coniniission 
from the Great Spirit In this he was obh«red 
to bring others to hi« assistance, who vouclied 
for tlie many wonderful miracles he had per- 
formed, and the benefits he was to confer on 
liis followers. 

The tribes were to unite, and not fight any 
longer with each other. They were to wear 
■skins as their forefathers had done, and to use 
no ardent spirits. Stealing, quarrelling, and 
«iany minor crimes, were strictly prohibited. 
And then they were told, that if th^y adhered 
permanently to these doctrines, the Great 
Spirit would bless them, and they should be 
-entirely separated from the whites and live ia 
iiarmony among themseives. 

The plan of the prophet was well calculated 
to make an impression upon the untutored 
•savages, m\A wn^ undoubtedly the suggestion 
of a strong and calculating mind. Some 
•suppose that it originated entirely with Ol- 
Li-WA-CHi-cA, but there is much reason to 
suppose that Tecumtue had his share ia 
drawing up the original (plot. Others imagine 
that the two were directed and governed in their 
f>urftuits by the English, but when we con- 



106 LIFS AND TIMES 

sider the time at which the reformation, if we 
may so speak, begun; there is very little rea- 
son to conjecture that any others were con- 
cerned in the plan but the brothers them- 
selves. The reformation was promulgated 
at a time when a general peace prevailed, 
which had been produced by the victories of 
the brave army of Wayne ; and though the 
British traders influenced the Indians against 
the Americans, they would scarcely have ven- 
tured to advise the organization of tens of 
thousands of red warriors in a general and 
indiscriminate contest against the whites. 

The plan of uniting all the tribes against 
the whites was not however original with Te- 
cuMTHE and Ol-li-wa-chi-ca. Pontiac,* 
the Ottawa chief, many years before projected 
a similar concentration for the immediate ex- 
tinction of the British, aud so far succeeded 
in carrying out his views, that no less than 
nine English forts were captured by the In- 
dians almost upon one day. We have also 
seen it stated that Saguoaha, the Keeper- 

* It has been stated by respectable authority, that tliis cele- 
brated individual was a member of the tribe of Sacka or Saw- 
Kies ; but there appears to us no sufficient reason for disputing 
the almost universal opinion which makes him an Ottawa.— 
Thatcher's Indian Bio^aphy. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 107 

Awake, or Red Jacket, as he was called by 
the whites, first gave to Tecumthe the idea of 
a general combination ; but from the cha- 
racter of that chief, and the part he took with 
the Americans, we do not place much reliance 
on this report.* 

Toward the close of the life of this great 
Indian orator, the author frequently visited his 
residence, and at one time almost daily, and 
held familiar intercourse with him. The only 
things which the good old chief appeared to 
regret as connected with the whites and In- 
dians, were the sale of liquor to his people and 
the attempts of the clergy to draw him from 
the religion of his fathers. 

For some years the success of the Prophet 
was quite doubtful, and his converts were few. 
His brother was, of course, the first to em- 
brace the new fangled doctrine, and shortly 
after some of his relations and intimate friends 
embraced the tenets. He now gained a great 
influence over his own tribe, and flattered the 
pride of the Shawanees by renewing an old 
tradition which made them the wisest, most in- 
telligent, and respectable people in the world. 
This we give in the language of an old Shawa- 

• Soe Vol. 11. , of the work quoted in tli9 above not». 



108 LIFE AND 1 IMES 

nee chief, who spoke at the council at Fort 
Wayne, upon the siihject, in 1803. Mucli of 
tliis speech was addressed directly to Go- 
vernor Harrison. With much native dignity,, 
the venerable savage thu« delivered him- 
self:— 

*' The Master of liife who was himself an 
Indian, made the Shawanees before any others 
of tiie human race, and they sprang from his 
brain.* The Master of Life gave them all 
the knowledge which he himself possessed. 
He placed them upon the great island,! and 
all the other red people are descended fron* 
the Shawanees, he made the French and Eng- 
lish out of his breast. The Dutch he made 
out of his feet. As for your Long KnivesJ 
kind, he made them out his hands, AU those 
inferior races of men he made white, and- 
placed them beyond the great lake.§ 

"The Shawanees wgyq masters of the con- 
tinent for many ages, ushig the knowledge 
which they had received from the Great Spirit,. 



• There is a strong resemblance here to the mythological ac« 
count of the creation of Minerva. 

t The Continent of America. 

% The Americans, though at first the term vrat t^pll«d by Ui» 
IndiaTis to the Virginians and Ksntuckians. 

# Thb AilAQtic Oc«iui 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 109 

ill such a manner as to be pleasing to him, 
and to secure their own happiness. In a 
great length of time however they became 
corrupt and the Master of Life told them he 
would take away from them the knowledge 
they possessed and give it to the white people ; 
to be restored when, by a return to good prin- 
ciples, they would deserve it. 

*' Many years after that, they saw some- 
thing white approaching their shores. At 
first they took it for a great bird, but they soon 
found it to be a monstrous canoe, filled with 
the very people who had got the knowledge 
which belonged to the Shawanees, but they 
usurped their lands also. They pretended, 
indeed, to have purchased their lands, but the 
very goods which they gave for them were 
more the property of the Indians than of the 
white people, because the knowledge which 
enabled them to manufacture these goods ac- 
tually belonged to the Shawanees. 

** But these things will now have an end. 
The Master of Life is about to restore to the 
Shawanees both their knowledge and their 
rights, and he will tranaple the Long Knives 
under his feet." 

The old chief who delivered the above was 
K 



110 LIFE AND TIMES 

supposed to be in the British interest, and that 
his object was to prevent all negotiations 
The Frophet used the tradition, and by it 
brought over thousands to his way of think- 
ing. The subject was a good one, and he 
turned it at once to his own purpose. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Notice of the Prophet — Tanner's account— Murder of th* 
chiefs — Anecdote of the Dead Chief. — The Prophet's message 
to Governor Harrison — The latter's conduct to the Indians — 
The Prophet visits the Governor at Vincennes. 

The success of an Indian Prophet depends 
principally upon his skill in deception, and 
Ol-li-wa-chi-ca had all the necessary cun- 
ning for beginning his career, though he does 
not seem to have possessed sufficient pene- 
tration for conducting operations after they had 
swelled to importance. Tanner says that 
while he was living at Great Wood River, a 
stranger from the Shawanees visited that sec- 
tion of the country forthe purpose of making 
proselytes. He told the Indians that they 
should not let the fire go out in their lodges — 
that they should not let their dogs live — they 
•hould not strike a man, woman, child or 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. Ill 

tloiT — ^1'py ?i>otild Mot drink, steal, lie, or go 
against their enemies, and that they must not 
use flint or steel. Most of the Indians com- 
plied with ail these injunctions, but Tanner 
for a long time refused. " The Ojibbeway 
whom 1 have mentioned," he continued, " re- 
mained sometime among the Indians in my 
neighborhood, and gained the attention of the 
principal men so effectually, that a time was 
appointed, and a lodge prepared for the solemn 
and public espousing of the doctrines of the 
Prophet. When the people, and I among 
them, were brought into the lodge, prepared 
for this solemnity, w« saw something carefully 
concealed under a Wanket, in figure and di- 
mensions bearing some strong resemblance to 
the form of a man.'* * * * * 

" Four strings of mouldy and discolored 
beans were all the remaining visible insignia 
of this important mission. After a long har- 
angue, in which the prominent features of the 
new revelation were stated and urged upon 
the attention of all, the four strings of beans, 
which we were told were made of the flesh 
itself of the Prophet, were carried with much 
solemnity, to each man in the lodge, and he 
was expected to take hold of each string at 



112 LIFE AND TIMES 

the top, and draw theiM i^i^ntly lijiouo-li ]iii 
hands. Tliis was called .shaking liaiids witli 
the Prophet, and was considered as solemnly 
engaging to obey liis injuctions, and accept his 
mission as from the Supreme." 

It was a long time before Tanner would 
kill his dogs and give up his medicine bag, 
but at last he gave way with the rest and fol 
lowed many, tliough not all, of the instruc 
tions of the Prophet. The latter was opposed 
by many of the chiefs, and these he accused of 
witchcraft, and had them murdered by their 
own people. Teteboxti, a Delaware chief, 
eighty years of age, was condemned to the 
stake, but when the fire was about to be kin- 
died, a young Indian stepped from the crowd, 
and with his tomahawk, put an end to the old 
man's existence. 

Billy PATTERSon, an Indian who had re- 
sided many years among the whites, was con- 
demned to a similar death ; and died with a 
hymn book in his hand, singing and praying 
until his voice was hushed by the flames. 

Shateyaronrah, or Leather-Lips, a Wy- 
andot chief, was ordered to be murdered. 
The messengers found the old warrior, and 
they commenced digging his grave by the side 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON- 113 

t)f his wigwam. Finding entreaty vain, he 
dressed himself in his best war clothes — took 
a meal of venison, and knelt at the edge of 
his grave. He and his executioner prayed to- 
gether. The Indians withdrew to a short dis- 
tance, and seated themselves on the ground. 
** The old chief inclined forward, resting his 
face upon his hand, and his hand upon his 
knees. While thus seated, one of the young 
Indians came up and struck him twice with 
the tomahawk. For some time he lay sense- 
less upon the ground, the only remaining evi- 
dence of life being a faint respiration. The 
Indians all stood around in solemn silence. 
Finding him to breathe longer than they ex- 
pected, they called upon the whites (one or 
two of whom were spectators,) to take notice 
how hard he died ; pronounced him a wiz- 
ard, — * no good,' — then struck him again, 
and terminated his existence."* 

These statements exhibit the great influ- 
ence which Ol-li-wa-chi-ca obtained over the 
western tribes. He took care to remove all 
the prominent men who were opposed to him, 
while his brother was actively engaged in stir- 
ring up the Indians to rise at once upon the 

• See Thatcher's Indien Biography 



I'M LIFE AND TIMES 

American settlements. Tecumthe made re- 
peated tours among the tribes, almost from 
one end of the continent to tiie other. He 
was received with respect wherever he went, 
and listened to with attention. He pictured to 
the councils the happiness of their ancestors, 
and compared their extensive possessions and 
unlimited enjoyments, with the present scarcity 
of game and contracted territory. He spoke 
of the warlike and independent character of 
their fathers, and exhibited their own pusillan- 
imity and degraded condition. The noble, 
free and upright habits of the one were 
compared with the profligacy, corruption 
and drunkenness of the other. Some he 
threatened ; others he persuaded. There was 
no argument which native inlellio^ence could 
suggest, that he did not use to accomplish his 
design ; and to rivet whatever hold his reason- 
ing might have gained with his auditory, he 
boldly asserted that Ol-li-wa-chi-ca could 
prevent the bullets of the enemy from taking 
effect upon the body of an Indian ; — that he 
himself would fearlessly lead the attack, and 
they should see him rush unharmed into the 
thickest of the foe. 

The brothers even went so far as, (at one 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 115 

lime,) to propose the murder of all the leading 
chiefs who had ever si'i^ned any treaties with 
the United States, by which any territory was 
relinquished ; and some of the okl Winne- 
bago chiefs declared to an American scout, 
with tears in their eyes, that they had no 
longer any power over their people, every thing 
being managed exclusively by the warriors. 
To show still more forcibly the character of 
Tecumthe, we will give an anecdote from 
Dawson's Memoirs of Harrison. At a con- 
ference held at Vincennes, Tecumthe was 
present, and so also, a noted Potawatamie, 
called the Dead Chief, because he was deaf. 
Tecumthe, on that occasion, being charged 
by Governor Harrison with hostile intentions 
against the Americans, he disclaimed the ac- 
cusation. The next day the Dead Chief 
called upon Governor Harrison, and asked, 
why he had not been required to confront 
Tecumthe. He said he would have willingly 
asserted the truth before all the Indians. The 
Shawanee havinsj heard this, ffave word to 
his brother to have the Dead Chief despatch- 
ed. The latter hearing of this, put on his 
war dress, painted himself, tot»k his arms, 
and at once paddled his canoe directly to the 



116 LIFE AND TIMES 

camp of Tecumthe. Mr. B»aron, the Gov- 
ernor's interpreter, was in the tent of the 
Shawanee at tlie time tlie Dead Chief ar- 
rived. The latter upbraided Tecumthe for 
having given the order to have him assassin- 
ated — told him it was cowardly and unworthy 
a warrior. " But here I am : — come and kill 
me !'* cried the old Indian. " You and your 
men can kill the white people's hogs, and call 
them bears, but you cannot face a warrior." 
He then went on to insult and provoke Te- 
cumthe ; called him the slave of the English, 
and a base dog. "During the whole time 
Tecumthe seemed not in the least to regard 
him, but continued to converse with Mr. 
Baron. Wearied at length with his useless 
efforts to draw out his adversary, he gave the 
war-whoop of defiance, and paddled off in his 
canoe. There is reason," adds Mr. Dawson, 
*' to believe that the order of Tecumthe was 
obeyed. The Dead Chief was no more seen 
at Vincennesy 

During the year 1807, intelligence reached 
Governor Harrison of the movements of the 
savages, and particularly of the conduct of 
Ol-li-wa-chi-ca toward the chiefs of the vari- 
ous tribes. The Governor immediately sent 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 117 

a message to the Sliawanees nnticln<j their 
measures, and repreliemliiio^ them in tlie se- 
verest terms. lie told the cliiefs they were 
listening " to a fool that speaks not the words 
of the Great Spirit, but the words of the devil." 
Most of the chiefs being absent, the Prophet 
dictated to the messenger the following reply 
to the Governor : — 

" Father : 

" I am sorry that you listen to the advice 
of bad birds. You have impeached me with 
having correspondence with the English, and 
with calling and sending for the Indians from 
the most distant parts of the country, ' to listen 
to a fool that speaks not the words of the Great 
Spirit, but the words of the devil.' 

*' Father ! These impeachments I deny, and 
say they are not true. I never had a word with 
the English, and I never sent for any Indians. 
They came here themselves, to listen and hear 
the words of the Great Spirit. 

"Father! I wish you would not listen any 
more to the voice of bad birds ; and you may 
rest assured that it is the least of our ideas to 
make disturbance ; and we will rather try to 
stop such proceedings than encourage them." 



lip LIFE AND TIME* 

In the spring of 1808, great numbers of 
Indians were in tlie vicinity of Fort Wayne. 
They had neglected their corn fields to listen 
to the Prophet, and were almost in a state 
of starvation. To prevent incursions upon 
the settlements, the Governor wisely ordered 
the agent at Fort Wayne to supply them with 
provisions from the public stores. Toward 
the beginning of summer, the Prophet selected 
a spot on the upper part of the Wabash, called 
Tippecanoe, as his future and permanent resi- 
dence. Thither he removed, and his disciples 
followed him. 

In July he sent word to the Governor that 
he was coming to see him, for the purpose 
of explaining how grossly he had been mis- 
represented. The next month he arrived at 
Vincennes, where he remained for two weeks. 
AVhile here, he denied being in the British 
interest, and asserted that his sole object was 
to reclaim the Indians from their bad habits, 
and cause them to live in peace witli all man- 
kind. He frequently addressed his disciples 
in presence of the Governor, and spoke con- 
stantly of the evils of war and spiritous liquors. 

AVhen leaving Vincennes, he addressed the 
Governor, and declared that he did not wish 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. ] 19 

the Indians to take up the tomahawk, either 
for the British or the Long Knives. 

In his address to the Legislature, in 1809, 
the Governor mentions the conduct of the 
Prophet, who had become dissatisfied with 
the treaty made at Fort Wayne, in the au- 
tumn of the preceding year. The Governor 
sent word to the Prophet, that he might come 
forward and exhibit any title he might have 
to the land transferred by the treaty, and if it 
was '* found to be just and equitable, the lands 
would be restored, or an ample equivalent 
given for them." His brother met Governor 
Harrison, and claimed the land, because he 
said they belonged to all the tribes, and could 
not be parted with except by consent of all. 
This argument was too absurd to command 
any attention, and Tecumthe returned to the 
Wabash, in no very good humor. He now 
redoubled his exertions for the concentration 
of all the western tribes, but was extremely 
guarded in his efforts, to prevent the Governor 
from receiving any intimation of his proceed- 
ings. 



12© LIFE AND TIMES 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Tecumthe visits Governor Harrison at Vincennes — His conduct- 
Speech— The Governor's reply — Tecumthe's insolence— He is 
dismissed — The Governor visits Tecumthe at his camp — The 
lattei goes to the south, 

Tbe Governor sent word to Tecumthe not 
to bring more tlian thirty warriors with him to 
Vincennes in the summer of 1810, but he 
came witli over thl*ee Imndred, all completely 
armed. This numerous body guard created 
an unusual sensation in the town, and many 
supposed that the savages were about to com- 
mence a general war on tiie instant. The 
haughty chief gave as an excuse for this armed 
escort, that he believed there was treachery 
intended on the part of the whites. Seats 
were prepared in a large portico in front of 
the Governor's residence, but when Tecumthe 
came from his camp with about forty war- 
riors, he refused to enter the portico, and re- 
quested that the council might be held under 
the shade of a cluster of trees in front of the 
house. 

When the trouble of moving the seats was 
mentioned, he said it would only be *' ne- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 121 

cessary to remove those intended for the 
whites. The red men are accustomed to sit 
upon the earth wliich is tlieir mother, and we 
are always happy to recline upon her bosom.'* 
This occurred on the 12th of August, and 
Tecumthe then delivered the following 
speech : — 

"What I am I have become by my own 
exertions ; and I would that I could make the 
red men as great as I picture them in my 
mind, when I think of the Great Spirit, and 
his wish to render all his people noble and 
happy. Were such the case I would not come 
to General Harrison beseeching him to annul 
the treaty ; but I would say to him, * Brother, 
you are at liberty to return to yoiir own coun- 
try.' There was a time when the foot of the 
white man did not crush the fallen limbs in our 
paths. This country tlien belonged to all the 
red men. It was created for the red man and 
his children. We were all united, and the 
Great Spirit placed us here, and filled the land 
with fruit and game for our use. We were 
then happy. We are now made miserable by 
the white man, who is never contented, but 
asks us for more and more land. The white 
people have driven us from the great salt lake. 
L 



122 LIFE AND TIMES 

They follow us over the mountains as we retire 
to the setting sun. They would force us 
into the lakes, but we are determined to go 
no further. 

" The march of the white man must be 
stopped. The Indians must insist upon the 
original compact. The land belongs to all, 
and all must still own it. It was our fathers. 
We must give it to our children. It cannot 
be divided. 

** We have no right to sell, even to each 
other. How then can we sell it to strangers 1 ■. 
Why should we, when they are never satisfied ? * 
The land is ours, and the white men have no 
right to take it from us. The Indians should 
they sell, can only do so when all the tribes 
are together, and when all consent. No sale 
is valid unless made by all. The late sale 
was made only by a few tribes, and it is there- 
fore nugatory." 

►In his reply, Governor Harrison said, that 
** when the white people arrived on this con- 
tinent, they found the Miamies in the occupa- 
tion of all the country in the Wabash, and at 
that time the Shawanees were residents of 
Georgia, from which they were driven by the 
Creeks. The lands have been purchased 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 123 

from the Miamies, who were the true and 
original owners of it. It is ridiculous to as- 
sert that all the Indians are one nation, for if 
such had been the intention of the Great 
Spirit, he would not have put six different 
tongues' into their heads, but would have 
taught them all to speak one language. 

*' The Miamies have found it to their in- 
terest to sell a part of their lands, and to re- 
ceive for them a further annuity, in addition to 
what they have long enjoyed ; and the benefit 
of which they have experienced from the 
punctuality with which the seventeen fires* 
comply with their engagements : and the 
Shawanees have no right to come from a dis- 
tant country to control the Miamies in the dis- 
posal of their own property." 

The interpreter had no sooner finished, 
than Tecumthe bounded from the earth and 
cried, " It is false !" He gave a signal to his 
band, and every man leaped up, and seized 
his war club. The Governor was only at- 
tended by a few unarmed citizens, and his 
situation was now extremely perilous. The 
Governor's honorary guard of twelve soldiers, 
had been directed to occupy a shady place at 

* The seventeen United States. 



1 
124 LIFE AND TIMES 

some distance from the council. Retaining 
that admirable conunand over himself which 
never deserted liim even under the most dan- 
gerous circumstances, the Governor laid his 
hand upon his sword, and directed his friends 
and suite to stand upon their guard. Te- 
CUMTHE addressed the Indians in a loud and 
fierce tone, and with impetuous gesticulation. 
WiNNEMAK, a friendly chief, cocked a pistol ; 
Major Floyd drew his dirk, and a Methodist 
minister, named Winans, ran to the residence 
of the Governor, seized a rifle, and prepared 
to protect the family. The action of the In- 
dians appeared preconcerted, and all expected 
a fierce and daring assault. The guard ap- 
proached with their pieces levelled, and would 
have fired had they not been checked by the 
Governor. 

After waiting a few moments to see what 
course the savages would pursue, the Gover- 
nor said to Tecumthe, in a calm, but firm 
and decided tone, that " he was a bad man — 
that he would have no further talk with him — 
that he must return now to his camp, and 
take his departure from the settlements imme- 
diately." 

It is said by those who were present, that 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 125 

had the Governor betrayed the least fear or 
surprise, Tecumthe would have given the sig- 
nal for a general assault. There are good 
reasons for supposing that such was his real in- 
tention, but the authoritative manner of his 
antagonist completely subdued the savage ; 
and finding he could not intimidate, he called 
off his warriors and returned quietly to his 
encampment. 

The next morning the haughty chief apolo- 
gized for the insult, and desired that the coun- 
cil might be renewed. To this the Governor 
consented, taking the precaution to have two 
companies of militia under arms, to protect 
Vincennes. At this second meeting Tecum- 
the denied the intention of an attack, but 
said that he had been advised to the course he 
had pursued by two white men who had visited 
his residence a short time previous, and who 
told him that the people were opposed to the 
Governor, and were willing to give back the 
land. At this interview, the chief conduct- 
ed himself with perfect respect toward the 
Governor, but still insisted upon the argu- 
ments he had urged the previous day. He 
said he was determined to insist upon the old 
boundary. He was openly supported in this 
L* 



126 LIFE AND TIMES 

resolution by several ciiiefs of five different 
tribes. The council ended by the Governor 
telling him that his words should be reported 
to the President. 

Still anxious to reconcile Tecumthe, the 
Governor visited him the next day at his own 
camp. The chief had by this time been taught 
to respect his guest, and his proud spirit bent 
before his superior. Mr. Harrison was re- 
ceived with kindness and the most polite at- 
tention. Almost alone, he went in among 
many hundreds of rude warriors, but Tecum- 
the well knew that he must respect a man 
possessed of such true courage. He himself 
had been afraid to venture with forty warriors, 
to the Governor's house. The Governor was 
now in Tecumthe's shantee with but half a 
dozen attendants. 

They remained together for a long time, but 
the chief still adhered to all his previous 
grounds, with the most provoking obstinacy, 
and when the Governor told him that he felt 
confident the President would not agree to 
his proposals, he haughtily replied : — 

" Well, as the great chief is to determine 
the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will put 
sense enough in his head to induce him to di 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 127 

rect you to give up this land. It is true, he is 
so far off that he will not be injured by the 
war. He may sit still in hivS town, and drink 
his wine, while you and I have to fight it 
out." 

Soon after this Tecumthe withdrew to the 
Prophet's town, and a trader in whom Gover- 
nor Harrison had the utmost confidence, re- 
ported that the Prophet had at least a thou- 
sand souls under his control. But a few 
months more had passed, when further infor- 
mation reached Vincennes, that nearly one 
thousand warriors were assembled at Tippe- 
canoe — many of tiiem from the northren 
tribes — and that a general combination was 
openly talked of. The Governor immediately 
sent for a leading member of the Shaker So- 
ciety, (who had asserted that the Prophet was 
almost as good a Shaker as he was himself,) 
and endeavoured to prevail upon him to take 
t message to the prophet. 

In this message the Governor pictured the 
disastrous consequences of a general war, and 
used the following expression : — " Brothers ! 
I am myself of the Long Knife fire. As soon 
as they hear my voice, you will see them pour- 
ing forth their swarms of hunting-shirt men, 



128 LIFE AND TIMES 

as numerous as the mosquitoes on the shores 
of the Wabash. Brothers ! take care of their 
stings." 

In answer to this, Tecumthe sent word that 
he would meet the Governor in eighteen days, 
" to wash away all those bad stories." ^ He 
arrived on the 27th of July, 1811, with three 
hundred men. At the council he appeared 
with two hundred warriors all armed, while 
the Governor was at the head of a full troop 
of dragoons, armed but dismounted. A 
rain coming on, tlie meeting adjourned to the 
next day, when the business proceeded. 

The Governor demanded that two Potawa- 
tamie murderers who were at Tippecanoe, 
should be given up. " It is not right," said 
Tecumthe, " to punish these people. They 
ought to be forgiven, as well as those who 
have recently murdered my people at the Il- 
linois. The whites should follow my example 
in forgiving ; I have forgiven the Ottawas and 
the Osages." He wished matters to remain 
as they were, until he could return from a 
visit which he was about to make to the south- 
ern Indians ; then, he said, he would go to 
Washington himself, and settle all their dif- 
ficulties with the President. ** In the mean- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 129 

while," he said, " I will despatch messengers 
to aJl the neighboring tribes, (who are wholly 
under my control,) to prevent further mis- 
chief." 

When he had concluded, he offered the 
Governor a quantity of wampum in atone- 
ment for the murders. The present was re- 
fused with an indignant reply, and the coun- 
cil broke up. Tecumthe returned to Tippe- 
canoe, and shortly after, attended by only a 
few followers, commenced his journey to the 
south. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Conduct of the Prophet— Gathering of the Indians at Tippeca- 
noe— The Governor receives orders to march against the 
Indians — Volunteers flock to his standard — March of thearmy. 
Great skill of the commander in choosing routes, crossing Pins 
Creek, &c. 

The Prophet's town was the grand centre 
for all the Indians, and Tecumthe was care- 
ful, wherever he found them willing to engage 
in the combination, to send them at once to 
his brother. Here they were not allowed to 
retrograde in their determination, for they 
were surrounded by hundreds gathered from 



130 LIFE AND TIMES 

various tribes, all collected for the same pur- 
pose, and constantly harangued by the Pro- 
phet, who touched every chord to rouse their 
feelings, and fed them with new themes to ex- 
cite their superstitions. He practised awful 
incantations, and revived many of the ancient 
rites of the Indians He indulged the spirit 
of prophecy to its fullest extent, and told his 
followers of hundreds of charms which he 
could give to protect them from the weapons 
of the white man. 

Having duped his followers into a convic- 
tion that he could do all he said, he encour- 
aged them to make assaults upon the more 
exposed settlements. Houses were robbed, 
horses stolen — and soon, even murders were 
committed. His encampment was daily fill 
ing up with the bold and daring of even the 
most distant tribes, and his force soon amount- 
ed to more than one thousand warriors. 

Called together for the express purpose of 
attacking the whites, they became restless and 
uneasy. Their savage habits could bear no 
restraint, nor did the Prophet attempt to con- 
trol them in their lawless desires. Parties roved 
about the country, and scarcely rose the sun 
but his rays fell upon the mangled bodies of 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON- 131 

helpless women and children, and the smoking 
ruins of the settler's cabin. 

These outrages could no longer be borne, 
and Governor Harrison proceeded to place 
the territory in as defensible a position as its 
limited resources would allow. At his own 
earnest solicitation, and the repeated petitions 
of the people, in 1811, he received directions 
from the President to march against the Pro- 
phet's town with an armed force. He was, 
However, commanded peremptorily to avoid 
hostihties " of any kind, or to any degree, not 
indispensably required." 

The news of the Governor's authority, to 
march against the Indians, was received with 
rapture through the whole west, particularly 
in Kentucky, where it was met with joy and 
delight. 

The people had suffered so long — the coun 
try had been so completely overrun by the 
savages, and so many barbarities had been 
practised upon the settlers, that they burned 
for revenge, and in crowds volunteered their 
services for the dangerous expedition. The 
people knew their commander to be brave, 
patriotic and skilful, and many of the first 
men in the country flocked eagerly to his 



132 LIFE AND TIMES 

Standard. General Samuel Wells, previous- 
ly distinguished in similar service — Colonel 
Abraham Owen, a veteran in Indian warfare 
— Joseph H. Daviess, an eminent lawyer, 
rushed to the side of the intrepid Harrison. 
Colonel GuiGER raised a small company of 
young men near Louisville, and joined the 
gallant leader. Croghan, O'Fallon, Ed- 
wards, Shipp, and Cheem, afterward distin 
guished officers of our army, were among the 
brave men who came to Harrison's assist- 
ance. Colonel Boyd's regiment, the fourth 
United States Infantry, was, at his request, 
placed under the command of the western 
hero. 

The army numbered a little over nine 
hundred, but they were gallant men, deter- 
mined to do or die. Three hundred and fifty 
were infantry of the regular service. The 
rest were volunteer militia from Indiana, ex- 
cepting sixty or seventy men from Kentucky. 
One hundred and twenty were dragoons. We 
have already described the mode of formation 
introduced by Wayne, and so successfully 
practised in 1794 ; — Governor Harrison im- 
.mediately commenced instructing his soldiers 
in the same manner. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 133 

The army commenced its march from Fort 
Harrison, a post on the Wabash about sixty 
miles above Vincennes, on the 28th of October. 
Application was made to the Prophet, through 
the Delaware and Miami Indians, for the sur- 
render of the two Potawatamie murderers al- 
luded to in the speech of Tecumthe, in the 
preceding chapter ; and also for the return 
of a number of horses which had been stolen 
from the whites. The demand was treated 
with contempt, and the envoys with insolence. 
The Prophet even went so far as to send off a 
war party, with directions to massacre any 
white men they might find. They advanced 
so near upon the army as to fire upon the 
sentinel. The brothers had their plans so far 
prepared, that Ol-li-wa-chi-ca thought it was 
no longer necessary even to pretend friendship 
with the United States ; and though his bro- 
ther was absent, he thought his position suffi- 
ciently safe to resist any force that could at 
that time be brought against him. 

The American troops on their march to 
Tippecanoe, were encamped in the order of 
battle ; and moved so that they would form 
for action almost instantly. The infantry 
marched in two columns, single file, while the 
M 



134 LIFE AND TIMES 

cavalry and mounted riflemen, covered the 
advance, flank and rear. Thus by a single 
evolution, the army could present two lines 
to receive the enemy at any point, or form a 
hollow square. The dragoons and riflemen 
changed positions as the ground varied, so 
that they were kept where it was best adapted 
to their respective modes of fighting. 

Five friendly Indians and a Frenchman 
acting as scouts were kept out constantly, and 
advanced guards to protect the main body 
from savage ambuscade. The situation of 
the commander was a trying one — a horde of 
blood-thirsty Indians in advance; prepared 
for war and led by a skilful chief; numerous 
and widely scattered settlements in his rear, 
dependent upon him for protection. Although 
Mr. Eustis, the secretary of war, had written 
to him, " The banditti under the Prophet are 
to be attacked and vanquished ;" yet he im- 
mediately added " provided such a measure 
shall be deemed absolutely necessary ;" and 
from the moderate tone of the order, the com- 
mander was to fight when attacked and not be- 
fore. Thus the enemy had the choice of time, 
place and manner; while Governor Harrison 
could only take precautionary measures. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 135 

Just beyond Fort Harrison two routes were 
presented. Causing a road to be made on the 
south side of the Wabash, the army advanced 
upon it a short distance, when by an admira- 
ble movement, the Governor threw his whole 
force across the river, and marched over wide 
plains where there was but little opportunity 
for a secret attack. By this manceuvre the 
plans of the Indians were totally frustrated, 
and for three days no sign of an enemy was 
seen. 

For several days the scouts had not been in, 
and it was uncertain whether the Indians had 
passed the army with the view of attacking 
the settlements, or had retired to Tippecanoe. 
The towns were much exposed, particularly 
Vincennes, which at that time was the most 
westerly. The idea of an attack upon this 
place so distressed the Governor as to drive 
from him his accustomed slumber. He arose 
in the night and having sent for Major Jor- 
DON, of the Indiana volunteers, directed him 
to take forty picked men, and proceed at once 
back to Vincennes, to protect that post, and 
place it and other exposed settlements, upon 
their guard. In case of any disaster to the 
army, he was to fortify the court house, and 



136 LIFE AND TIMES 

such other buildings as could be defended — 
remove the women and children into them, 
and send expresses to the Governor of Ken 
tucky, invitino; volunteers. 

By Major Jordon the Governor wrote to 
his friend, Dr. Scott, (who was at Vincennes 
to attend Mrs. Harrison in an expected indis- 
position) that his only uneasiness was for the 
wives and children of himself and his brave 
companions. That he had no fears for the 
success of the campaign. That he was aware 
that he was much exposed, because nearly all 
the Indians knew his person and were hostile 
to him. That his life was in the hands of his 
Creator, and Dr. Scott might rest assured 
that he would bring no disgrace upon the 
character of a pupil of Wayne. Should he 
fall he recommended his family to the care of 
his friend.* 

* Dr. Scott, the gentleman to whom this letter was addressed, 
afterwards commanded the first regiment of Kentucky volun- 
teers under General Harrison. His regiment composed a part 
of the detacliment ordered by the General from Fort Wayne, 
to destroy the Potawatamie town at Elk Hart. Being in bad 
health, the General desired him not to accompany the detacli- 
ment, assuring him that there would be no fighting, as the In» 
dians could not assemble in that quarter in time to make head 
against the detachment In despite of these remonstrances, 
the gallant Colonel appeared at the head of his regiment, and 
declared that no other person should lead it towards the enemy. 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 137 

Major JoRDON performed the duty intrusted 
to him, though he expressed much reluctance 
in being called from that which promised to be 
more active service. November 4th, the army- 
arrived at Pine creek, and prepared to cross 
its difficult pass. The course of the stream 
for many miles above its confluence with the 
Wabash, is through a deep channel, among 
immense rocks, forming frequent and perpen- 
dicular precipices. The crossings are few, 
and through narrow defiles ; so that the regu- 
lar order of the army must be broken, and 
open to ambuscades. In 1786 and 1790, 
American troops had been surprised on this 
very spot. A like danger to the present ex- 
pedition was prevented by the consummate 
skill of the Governor, who suddenly quitted 
the usual path, and passed the creek at anoth- 
er place, which he had ordered to be surveyed 
the previous night. 

In this march the*Governor displayed that 
superior tact for which he has always been re- 
markable. By crossing the Wabash directly 

while he was able to mount his horse. The service was eflFect- 
ed without opposition ; but the patriotic Colonel was taken sick 
upon his return, and shortly afterwards expired, a victim to his 
liigh sense of military etiquette.— Note by Judge Hall, in hia 
Memotrs of Harrison 

M* 



138 LIFE AND TIMES 

after leaving Fort Harrison, he completely 
deceived llie enemy. By choosing a new spot 
where to cross Pine creek, he effectually frus- 
trated any secret design his foe might have 
formed, and was in the heart of the enemy's 
country and in front of his town, almost be 
fore the Indians knew of his march. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

March of the army — The Governor's conduct and care— A flaf 
sent forward— The messenger insulted — The encampment- 
Battle of Tippecanoe. 

On the evening of the 5th of November 
the army encamped within nine or ten milei 
of Tippecanoe, and the march upon the day 
following was conducted with the greatest cau- 
tion, to avoid a surprise. About midday, the 
Indians began to show themselves, and to 
make insulting gestures .to the soldiers. The 
interpreters called to them, but they would 
not listen. Having reached a favorable spot 
for an encampment, within a mile and a half 
of the town, the Governor determined to re- 
main there and fortify his position until he 
conld hear from the friendly Indians whom 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 139 

he had despatched from Fort Harrison, with 
a message to the Prophet, the day he left that 
place. He had as yet received no intelligence 
from them. While he was making a survey 
Major Daviess and several other officers, 
urged an immediate attack upon the town. 
It was represented to him that the Indians 
only threatened and insulted the interpreters 
— that their evident intention was to fight — 
that the troops were in excellent spirits and 
full of confidence, and that the present was 
the time to march. To this the Governor re- 
plied, that he still expected to hear from the 
friendly Indians — that he knew the spirit of 
the troops, and that however determined the 
Indians might be for a fight, they would never 
do so unless all things were in their favor. 
He was therefore determined not to advance, 
until he knew precisely the situation of the 
town, and the character of the ground around 
it, and between it and the camp. He said it 
was his duty to take care that they should not 
engage in a situation where their valor would 
be useless. That at present, a corps upon 
which he placed great reliance would be un- 
able to act — that " the experience of the last 
two hours ought to convince every officer, that 



140 LIFE AND TIMES 

no reliance should be placed upon the guides, 
as to the topography of the country — that, re- 
lying on their information, the troops had 
been led into a situation so unfavorable, that 
but for the celerity with which they changed 
their position, a few Indians might have de- 
stroyed them : he was therefore determined 
not to advance to the town, until he had pre- 
viously reconnoitered, either in person, or by 
some one on whose judgment he could rely." 
Major Daviess stated that he and his adju- 
tant had surveyed the country and he de- 
scribed it to the Governor. The latter now 
determined to advance, and Captain T. Du- 
bois offered his services to carry a flag. The 
Captain started forward with an interpreter, 
and the army moved slowly after, in order of 
battle. 

The gallant envoy had not been gone long 
before he sent back a messenger to say that 
the Indians were around him in considerable 
numbers, and endeavoring to cut him off from 
the army ; and that they would not listen to 
the interpreter. The Governor immediately 
recalled the Captain, and resolving to treat the 
Indians as enemies, moved on to attack them. 
He was met directly after by three Indians 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 141 

one a counsellor of the Prophet. They were 
sent to kiiow why the army was advancing 
upon them, and stated that the Prophet wished 
to avoid hostilities, and had sent a pacific mes- 
sage by the Indians despatched by the Gov- 
ernor from Fort Harrison, but that these men 
had unfortunately taken the southern route in 
their return, and thus missed the army. A 
suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, 
with the understanding that a council should 
be held the next day, to agree on terms of 
peace, the Governor informing the Indians 
that he would go on to the Wabash, and there 
encamp for the night. The Governor soon 
came in sight of the town, which stood on a 
commanding eminence at some distance up 
the river. Major Daviess mistook some scat- 
tering houses for the town itself. The army 
was still upon the march, the country below 
the town being unfavorable for an encamp- 
ment ; and such was the order, that by a sin- 
gle conversion of companies, all were ready 
for battle. A chanire of position being di- 
rected in consequence of the dragoons having 
become entangled in underwood, the Indians 
supposed their town was to be attacked, and 
they prepared to defend it. The Govern©- 



142 LIFE AND TIMES 

rodeforward himself, and calling some Indians 
to him, told them that he had no intention of 
attacking them, but that he was seeking a pro- 
per location for an encampment, and for that 
purpose was going above the town. One of 
the savages acquainted with the Governor, 
told him that the creek they had crossed below, 
led to the north of the town, running through 
the prairie, and two officers were despatched 
to examine the spot. These soon returned, 
and reported that they had found an elevated 
situation, with plenty of fuel and water. 

"An idea was propagated by the enemies 
of Harrison," says McAffee, "after the bat- 
tle of Tippecanoe, that the Indians had forced 
him to encamp on a place chosen by them as 
suitable for the attack they intended. The 
place, however, was chosen, by Majors Tay- 
lor and Clarke, after examining all the en- 
virons of the town ; and when the army of 
General Hopkins was there in the following 
year, they all united in the opinion that a bet- 
ter spot to resist Indians was not to be found 
in the whole country. 

" The army now marched to the place se- 
lected, and encamped, late in the evening, on 
a dry piece of ground which rose about ten 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 1 43 

feet above the level of a marshy prairie in 
front towards the town, and about twice as 
high above a similar prairie in the rear; 
through which, near the bank, ran a small 
stream clothed with willows and brushwood. 
Op the left of the encampment, this bench of 
land became wider ; on the right it gradually- 
narrowed, and terminated in an abrupt point, 
about one hundred and fifty yards from the 
right flank. The two columns of infantry 
occupied the front and rear. The right flank 
being about eight yards wide, was filled with 
Captain Spencer's company of eighty men. 
The left flank, about one hundred and fifty 
yards in extent, was composed of three com- 
panies of mounted riflemen, under General 
Wells, commanding as Major." 

The place selected for the encampment was 
about three fourths of a mile from Tippe- 
canoe. The front line was formed by Major 
Floyd, s U. S. infantry, and Colonel Bartho- 
lomew's Indiana militia. The rear was com- 
posed of Captain Baen's U. S. infantry, and 
Lieutenant Colonel Decker's Indiana volun- 
teers. Spencer's men were volunteer rifle- 
men from Indiana. General Wells' com- 
mand consisted of Robb's company of In- 



144 LIFE AND TIMES 

diana volunteers and Guiger's company of 
volunteers, part from the latter territory, and 
part from Kentucky. A part of the government 
troops covered the left front and rear angles. 
Major Daviess' reserve cavalry were stationed 
in the rear of the left flank of the front line. 
The following description we give from 
McAffee, the author already quoted. 

" The order given to the army, in the event 
of a night attack, was for each corps to main- 
tain its ground at all hazards till relieved. 
The dragoons were directed in such case to 
parade dismounted, with their swords on and 
their pistols in their belts, and to wait for or- 
ders. The guard for the night consisted of 
two captains' commands of twenty-four men 
and four non-commissioned officers ; and two 
subalterns' guards of twenty men and non- 
commissioned officers — the whole under the 
command of a field officer of the day. 

*' On the night of the 6th of November, the 
troops went to rest, as usual, with their clothes 
and accoutrements on, and their arms by their 
sides. The officers were ordered to sleep in 
the same manner, and it was the Governor's 
invariable practice to be ready to mount hi» 
horse at a moment's warning. On the morn- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 145 

ing of the 7th, he arose at a quarter before 
4 o'clock, and sat by the fire conversing with 
the gentlemen of his family, who were reclin- 
ing on their blankets waiting for the sign.al, 
which in a few minutes would have been 
given, for the troops to turn out. The orderly 
drum had already been roused for the reveille. 
The moon had risen, but afforded little light, 
in consequence of being overshadowed by 
clouds, which occasionally discharged a driz- 
zling rain. At this moment the attack com- 
menced.* 

" The treacherous Indians had crept up so 
near the sentries as to hear them challenge 
when relieved. They intended to rush upon 
the sentries and kill them before they could 
fire ; but one of them discovered an Indian 
creeping towards him in the grass, and fired. 



* Upon the first alarm the Governor mounted his horse, and 
proceeded towards the point of attack ; and finding the line 
much weakened there, he ordered two companies from the cen- 
tre of the rear line to march up, and form across the angle in 
the rear of Barton's and Guiger's companies. In passing 
through the camp towards the left of the front line, he met with 
Major Daviess, who informed him that the Indians, concealed be- 
hind some trees near the line, were annoying the troops very 
•everely in that quarter, and requested permission to dislodge 
them. In attempting this exploit he fell mortally wounded, as 
tfid Colonel Isaac While of Indiana, who acted as a voluntcor in 
kit troop.— Judg-e Hall. 

N 



146 LIFE AND TIMES 

This was immediately followed by the Indian 
yell, and a desperate charge upon the left 
flank. The guard in that quarter gave way, 
and abandoned their officer without making 
any resistance. Captain Barton's company 
of regulars, and Captain Guiger's company 
of mounted riflemen, forming the left angle 
of the rear line, received the first onset. The 
fire there was excessive ; but the troops who 
had lain on their arms, were immediately pre- 
pared to receive, and had gallantry to resist the 
furious savage assailants. 

*' The manner of the attack was calculated 
to discourage and terrify the men ; yet as 
soon as they could be formed and posted, 
they maintained their ground with desperate 
valor, though but few of them had ever be- 
fore been in battle. The fires of the camp 
were extinguished immediately, as the light 
they aff'orded was more serviceable to the In- 
dians than to our men." * 

*' In the mean time the attack en Srei^cer's 
and Warwick's companies, on the right, be- 
came very severe. Captain Spencer and his 
lieutenants were all killed, and Captain War- 

• Except those of Barton's and Guiger's connpanies, which th<» 
•uddennnesK of the attnck left no time to pnt out. — TIall; 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 14 ^ 

wick was mortaily wounded. The Governor, 
in passing towards that flank, found Captain 
Robb's company near the centre of the camp. 
They had been driven from their post ; or 
rather, had fallen l?ack without orders. He led 
them to the aid of Captain Spencer, where 
they fought very bravely, having seventeen 
men killed during the battle. While the Gov 
ernor was leading this company. into action, 
Colonol Owen, his aid, was killed at his side. 
This gallant officer was mounted on a white 
horse, and as the Governor had ridden a grey 
on the day before, it is probable that Owen 
was mistaken for him, as it is certain that he 
was killed by one of the only Indians who 
broke through the lines, and who are sup 
posed to have resolved to sacrifice themselves 
in an attempt to insure victory by killing the 
commander-in-chief. The Governor happened 
not to be mounted on his own grey ; his servant 
had accidentally tied that animal apart from 
the other horses belonging to the general staff, 
and in the confusion occasioned by the attack, 
not being able to find this hors.^ as quickly 
as was desirable, the Governor mounted 
another. 

*' Captain Prescott's company of U, S. in i 



148 LIFE AND TIMES 

fantiy had filled up the vacancy caused by 
the retreat of Robb's company. Soon after 
Daviess was wounded, Captain Snelling, by 
order pf the Governor, charged upon the same 
Indians, and dislodged them with considerable 
loss. The battle was now maintained on all 
sides with desperate valor. The Indians ad- 
vanced and retreated by a rattling noise made 
with deer hoofs ; they fought with enthusiasm, 
and seemed determined on victory or death." 
As soon as it was daylight, the companies 
of Snelling, Posey, Scott and Wilson, 
were taken from the rear and formed on the 
left flank, and those of Cook and Baen were 
ordered to the right. General Wells was 
directed to command the corps on the left, and 
with the aid of some dragoons, who were now 
mounted, to charge the enemy in that direc- 
tion. The service was gallantly performed, 
and the Indians were driven into a swamp, 
where the cavalry could not follow. " At the 
same time," says McAffee, " Cook's and 
Lieutenant Larrabe's companies, with the 
aid of the riflemen and militia on the right 
flank, charged the Indians and put them to 
flight in that quarter, which terminated the 
battle." 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 149 



CHAPTER }i VII. 

Governor Han-Json's conduct at the B. ttle of Tippecanoe— His 
danger and his courage— Testimony of a private— Resolution 
of the Kentucky Legislature— Same o/ Indiana Legislature — 
Testimony of tiie militia— Opinion of President Madison— Trial 
and condemnation of the nejro— His pardon— Governor Har- 
rison's letter on the subject-r-Movements of Tecumthe and the 
Prophet — Return of the troops to Vincennes. 

So much has been said about the celebrated 
^nd gallant action recorded in the preceeding 
chapter, that we do not feel disposed to allow 
the subject to pass from our hands without 
a few brief remarks upon the conduct of the 
distinguished commander. We feel more 
particularly called upon so to do, from the 
fact, that since we have been engaged upon 
this work, it has been stated to a friend of the 
author, by a gentleman wlio ought to have 
been better acquainted with the history of his 
country, that '* General Harrison ran away 
at the battle of Tippecanoe !" 

Let us recapitulate a few facts for the bene- 
fit of the person alluded to, and all others 
who are wilfully ignorant of the leading 
events of the history of their own land. Gov- 
ernor Harrison mounted a horse upon the 
first tap of the drum. The army encamped 



150 LIFE AND TIMES 

in order of battle, the commander himself 
having appointed tho various positions of the 
troops. So anxious was he to act at once, that 
he mounted the first horse that came in his 
way, without waiting for his groom to bring 
his own charger. In the midst of the action, 
finding that the men were giving way in a 
particular part of the field, he himself headed 
two companies, and marched them into the 
very thickest of the fire. In leading this 
force, his aid was shot from his horse, by 
his side ; and the Governor received a ball 
through the rim of his hat, at the same 
moment. He still led the two companies for- 
ward, and so destructive was the fire that 
from only one of tliose companies, seventeen 
men fell dead upon the field. Such was his 
conduct. Let us now go back a few years 
and examine his danger. He had been upon 
the frontier more than seventeen years, during 
ihe whole of which time he was in constant 
— almost daily intercourse with the savages. 
The leading men from nearly all; the western 
tribes, had met him in council, smd his person 
was known to them. Frequent attempts had 
been made to assassinate himr, and the In- 
dians thought if they could but put him 



OP WILLIAM HENR Y HARRISON. 151 

Qut of the way, they might easily overcome 
the whole army. Men had been picked out 
for the express purpose of murdering him, 
and only the night before the action a negro 
was arrested, who was lurking near the Gov- 
ernor's marquee with the intention of killing 
him in his sleep. At the ttme of the action, 
this fellow was a prisoner in the camp. — To 
Governor Harrison's courage we have the 
testimony of all the soldiers, officers and pri- 
vates who ever served with him. 

In a small work published at Keene, New 
Hampshire, as long ago as 1816, entitled, " A 
Journal of two campaigns of the Fourth Re- 
giment of United States Infiintry, by Adam 
Walker, a private in the 4th Regiment," the 
name of Harrison is frequently mentioned in 
terms of the warmest admiraton. It is not 
probable that the Governor ever knew the 
author, yet the latter undoubtedly speaks the 
views of all the common soldiers of the army. 
In his account of the battle of Tippecanoe, 
Mr. Walker uses the following language. 

" General Harrison received a shot through 
the rim of his hat. In the heat of the action 
his voice was frequently heard, and easily dis- 
tinguished, giving his orders in the same calm. 



152 LIFE AND TIMES 

cool, and collected manner, with which w« 
had been used to receive them in drill or pa 
rade. The confidence of the troops in the 
General was unlimited." 

In the battle af Tippecanoe, Kentucky lost 
many of her bravest men, yet the legislature 
immediately passed the following resolu- 
tion : — 

" Resolved^ That in the late campaign 
against the Indians on the Wabash, Governor 
W. H. Harrison has, in the opinion of this 
legislature, behaved like a hero, a patriot and 
a general ; and that for his cool, deliberate, 
skilful, and gallant conduct in the late battle 
of Tippecanoe, he deserves the warmest 
thanks of the nation." 

Complimentary resolutions were also passed 
by the legislature of Indiana, mentioning the 
*' integrity," " superior capacity," and " im- 
portant services of the Governor. The militia 
who served in the campaign, immediately 
upon their return, held a meeting, at which 
they expressed unanimously their entire con- 
fidence in their commander ; stating that their 
success was owing " to his masterly conduct 
in the direction and manoeuvring of the 
iToops." 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. J 53 

The opinion of the government with res- 
pect to the action, is nobly given in a message 
from the excellent President Madison to Con- 
gress, under the date of December 18, 1811. 
The Executive conveyed his opinion in the 
following language : — 

** While it is deeply to be lamented, that so 
many valuable lives have been lost in the ac- 
tion which took place on the 7th ult., Con- 
gress will see with satisfaction the dauntless 
spirit and fortitude victoriously displayed by 
every description of troops engaged, as well 
as the collected firmness v/hich distinguished 
the commander, on an occasion requiring the 
utmost exertion of valor and discipline." 

No one, with these facts before him, can 
question the courage of William Henry Har- 
rison. He was not one to be frightened by 
powder and ball, and the man who would at- 
tempt to tear one leaf from the glorious chap- 
let which encircles his brow, is no republican 
and deserves not the name of American. The 
soldiers of a republic must he patriots. They 
have no title of nobility to look forward to— 
they have no recompense but the applause of 
their countrymen, and the proud consciousK 
ness of having done their duty. 



154 LIFE AND TIMES 

Immediately after the action, those op' 
posed to the war. claimed a part of the glory 
of the day for Colonel Boyd, whicii claim 
however was resisted hy all the army, and by 
none more strenuously than Colonel Boyd's 
corps itself. A drum-head court marshal was 
called to try the negro prisoner already men- 
tioned, and Colonel Boyd was appointed 
president. The prisoner was convicted of 
deserting to the enemy, under circumstances 
from which it was concluded that he had re- 
turned to the camp for the purpose of assas 
sinating the Governor. He was sentenced to 
suffer death. The sentence was approved, 
and he was to be executed in one hour, but the 
troops could not be called from their labor to 
witness his death. 

We are not writing a defence of Harrison. 
He requires nothing of the kind. We are 
giving a fair and unprejudiced account of his 
life from facts, and we leave the facts to speak 
for themselves. In a letter to Governor Scott 
of Kentucky, in speaking of the negro, Mr. 
Harrison thus writes: — 

" The fact was that I began to pity him, 
and could not screw myself up to the point of 
giving the fatal order. If he had been out of 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, 155 

my sight he would have been exefjuted ; but 
when he was first taken, General Wells and 
Colonel Owen, who were old Indian fighters, 
as we had no irons to put on him, had secured 
him after the Indian fashion. This is done 
by throwing a person on his back, splitting a 
log and cutting notches in it to receive the 
ankles, then replacing the severed parts, and 
compressing them together with forks, driven 
over the log into the ground. The arms are 
extended and tied to stakes secured in the 
same manner. The situation of a person 
thus placed, is as uneasy as can possibly be 
conceived. The poor wretch thus confined 
lay before my fire, his face receiving the rain 
that occasionally fell, and his eyes constantly 
turned upon me, as if imploring mercy. I 
could not withstand the appeal, and I deter- 
mined to give him another chance for his life. 
I had all the commissioned officers assembled, 
and told them that his fate depended upon 
them. Some were for executing him, and I 
believe that a majority would have been 
against him, but for the interference of the 
gallant Snelling. "Brave comrades,*' said 
he, " let-us save him. The wretch deserves 
to die ; but as our commander, whose life was 



156 LIFE AND TIMES 

more particularly his object, is willing to spare 
him, let us also forgive him. I hope, at least, 
that every officer of the 4th regiment will be 
on the side (»f mercy." Snelling prevailed ; 
and Ben was brought to this place, where he 
was discharged." 

" During the time of the contest," says 
McAffee, *' the Prophet kept himself secure 
on an adjacent eminence, singing a war-song. 
He had told his followers that the Great 
Spirit would render the army of the Ameri- 
cans unsuccessful, and that their bullets would 
not hurt the Indians, who would have light, 
while their enemies would be involved in 
darkness. Soon after the battle commenced, 
he was informed that his men were falling 
He told them to fight on, it would soon be as 
he predicted, and he began to sing louder." 

At the time of the battle, Tecumthe was 
still at the south, and when he returned was 
much exasperated, surprised, and mortified 
at the conduct of the Prophet. He saw at 
once that he must take a dec.ided stand, 
and he did so, in favor of the English. The 
defeat of the Indians had in a measure, 
opened their eyes with respect to the power 
of the Prophet. The blow had been struck 



OF WILLIAM HENRY IIAKRISON. 157 

too soon. Tecumthe was not yet ready. He 
had not enlisted all he wished. The opposing 
forces at the battle are stated by one authority 
to have been about equal — by another, it is 
said the Indians out numbered the Americans, 
by at least two hundred. The enemy never 
showed more courage. Thirty-eight warriors 
were left dead upon the field, and many more 
only lived to reach the town. The number 
of their wounded has never been accurately 
ascertained. The Americans had about fifty 
killed, and nearly one hundred wounded, out 
of eight hundred troops engaged. 

Tecumthe and his brother, were seen for 
the last time previous to their joining the Bri- 
tish, at Fort Wayne. Tecumthe then told 
the commander that he was going to Maiden, 
"to receive from the British twelve horse-loads 
of ammunition for the use of his people at 
Tippecanoe." A letter from the commander 
said that the Prophet arrived there on the 12th 
of July, 1812, with one hundred Winnebagoes 
and Kickapoos and had completely duped 
the Indian agent with professions of friend- 
ship. While here a message came from Te- 
cumthe advising his brother to unite the In- 
dians as soon as possible for a decisive blow 
() 



158 LIFE AND TIMES 

upon Vincennes, and send the women and 
children beyond the Mississippi. The next 
day Ol-li-wa-chi-ca sent a reply, and the 
messengers stole the commander's horses to 
carry them forward. 

The whole of the day of the battle was oc- 
cupied in fortifying the camp : burying the 
dead, and assisting the wounded. On the 
8th, the town was reconnoitered. It was well 
fortified, but totally deserted. A large quan- 
tity of corn ; all the household utensils and 
some guns and ammunition were found. 
Some dead bodies were discovered in the 
bouses, and quite a number half buried in 
the gullies. On the 9th, the army prepared, 
to return. Every wagon was required to 
transport the wounded. The Governor ex- 
plained to the officers the necessity of de- 
stroying the baggage, and set the example by 
ordering all his own camp furniture to be 
broken and burned. At the block house on 
the Wabash the wounded were placed in 
boats, while the rest of the army continued 
their way to Vincennes, by land. 

In December, several chiefs came to Vincen- 
nes to settle all difficulties, and in March, others 
came from all the tribes but the Shawanees. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 159 



CHAPTER XVIIL 

Little Turtle writes to Governor Harrison— Arriva. of Deputies- 
Council at Mississinniway — Another at Maiden — Conduct of 
the British and Indians —the United States declare war against 
Great Britain— Dinner to Harrison — His letter to the Govern- 
ment — Governor Harrison appointed Major General by Brevet, 
by Governor Scott — Winchester appointed to the command, 
and Harrison appointed Brigadier General — Troops induced to 
march through General Harrison's advice. 

On the 25th of January, 1812, the Little 
Turtle, previously mentioned, wrote to Gov- 
ernor Harrison, fron:i Fort Wayne. This 
was in answer to a message sent to the Miami 
and Eel-River Indians. The Turtle regret- 
ted the battle of Tippecanoe, yet thought it 
would " be the means of making the peace 
which ought to exist, respected." He stated 
that all the Prophet's followers, except two 
camps of his own tribe had left him. That 
Tecumthe had just joined him with only eight 
men — that the Indians would visit Vincen- 
nes whenever requested by the Governor — and 
that he (the Turtle) would inform the Gov- 
ernor of all the movements of the Indians. 

Unfortunately the services of the Turtle 
were cut short about six months after. He died 
at Fort Wayne, July 14, 1812, and was buried 



160 LIPE AND TIMES 

with the honors of war. His disease was re- 
ported " gout," by the army surgeon. 

In February, eighty tleputies, from all the 
tribes engaged in the late troubles, except the 
Shawauees, reached Fort Harrison, on their 
way to Vit^cennes. In consequence of a pri- 
vate notice of a design upon his person, the 
Governor sent a messenger to meet them, and 
demand the reason of their coming in so large 
a body. On their arrival they delivered up 
their arms, and evinced the subdued spirit of 
men taught to honor the genius and power of 
liim with whom they came to treat. 

Many of the protestations now made, were 
all deceptions, as we find most of the same 
men meeting a war council of the British, in 
May following, at Mississinniway, and di- 
rectly after, again at Maiden, at which last, 
Elliot, the Indian agent, and the British 
commanding officer were present. At the 
first, the Wyandots began, censuring the 
Shawanees for their late conduct. Tecumthe 
replied, and said that he too was very sorry 
for the affair on the Wabash, but that all dif- 
ficulties with Governor Harrison had been 
satisfactorily arranged. He also stated, that 
had he been at home, the battle would never 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 161 

have been fought. He then in turn, censured 
the Potawatamies. The latter replied, call- 
ing the Prophet and his followers, " vaga- 
bond," Tecumthe was answering this, when 
he was stopped bj theDelawares, who wished 
to proclaim peace throughout the land. The 
council was rather for peace. At the subse- 
quent meeting at Maiden, Elliot asked the 
Wyandots if they had not advised the tribes 
to remain neutral? To this, Walk-in-the- 
WATER made a spirited reply, throwing up to 
the English, their conduct at Fort Miami, in 
1794, and concluding thus : — " We say again, 
we do not wish to have any thing to do with 
the war. Fight your own battles, but let us, 
your red children, enjoy peace." 

The speaker was interrupted by Elliot, 
who told him he would hear no more " Amer- 
can talk." Round-Head then came forward 
and took hold of the wampum of Elliot. Te- 
cumthe and Ol-li-wa-chi-ca followed, but the 
Wyandots left the council, and re-crossed the 
river to Brownstown. The Brownstown Wyan- 
dots were subsequently forced to ally them- 
selves with the British. 

June 18th, 1812, war was declared against 
Great Britain by the United States. The 
o* 



162 LIFE AND TIMES 

western governors entered with great spirit 
upon preparations of defence for their res- 
pective states. In expectation of a war, the 
English had inflamed the minds of the Indians, 
and their barbarities now became more fre- 
quent and more alarming. The settlers de- 
serted their farms and fled to Vincennes with 
their families, to the protection of Governor 
Harrison. The war was popular, and they 
all were ready to take the field, if required. 
In this excitement — when the rich and the 
poor, the learned and the unlearned, were 
flocking to the defence of their country ; all 
with one voice, called for Governor Harrison 
to lead them against their enemies, and to his 
hand confided their families, honor and pro- 
perty. 

The Governor of Kentucky requested a 
conference, and Mr. Harrison repaired im- 
mediately to Frankfort. The former received 
his friend at the head of the militia, with the 
firing of cannon and the acclamations of the 
populace. All the citizens rushed forward to 
meet him, and to shake the hero by the hand. 
He remained several days at Frankfort, wholly 
occupied with maturing plans for the defence 
of the country. While in Kentucky, a public 



OF WILLIAM HENRY ILA.RRISON. 1G3 

dinner was given to him at Lexington, at 
which he delivered his opinion in an eloquent 
speech. The company was composed of ar- 
dent friends of the war, and he was urged to 
commit his sentiments to writing and address 
them to the Secretary of War. To this he ob- 
jected, until assured by Mr. Clay, one of the 
persons present, that such a letter would be 
•well received by the government. The fol- 
lowing is an extract from the letter alluded to, 
which was writen, August 10th : — 

" If it were certain that General Hull 
would be able, even with the reinforcement 
•which is now about to be sent to him, to re- 
duce Maiden and retake Macinac, there would 
be no necessity of sending other troops in 
that direction. But I greatly fear that the cap- 
ture of Macinac will give such eclat to the 
British and Indian arms, that the northern 
tribes will pour down in swarms upon Detroit, 
oblige General Hull to act entirely upon the 
defensive and meet, and perhaps overpower, 
the convoys and reinforcements which may be 
senthim. It appears to me, indeed, highly pro- 
bable that the large detachment which is now 
destined for his relief, under Colonel Wells, 
will have to fight its way. I rely greatly upon 



164 LIFE AND TIMES 

the valor of those troops, but it is possible that 
the event may be adverse to us, and if it is, 
Detroit must fall^ and with it every hope of 
re-estabHshing our affairs in that quarter until 
the next year." * * * " There are other 
considerations which strongly recommend the 
adoption of this measure. I mean the situa- 
tion of Chicago, which must be in danger, and 
if it is not well supplied with provisions, the 
danger must be imminent." 

This letter was prophetic. Macinac had 
already fallen. Five days after Chicago was 
taken, and a few days after that, Detroit fell 
into the hands of the enemy. The surrender 
of Hull, left the whole frontier exposed. 

Twelve hundred militia were embodied in 
Ohio, to march under Brigadier General Tup- 
PER to the assistance of Hull. Kentucky 
had organized 5,500 men. Most of these 
were volunteers — young gentlemen of talent 
and fine prospects, farmers and mechanics of 
standing and character. Colonels Allen and 
Hardin, eminent lawyers ; Major Madison 
state auditor ; Colonels Scott and Lewis, 
experienced Indian fighters ; Captain Simp- 
son, formerly speaker of the House of Rep- 
resentatives of Kentucky ; the Rev. Samuel 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 165 

Shannon, who Iiad served as a lieutenant dur- 
ing the revolution, and now went out as vol- 
unteer chaplain. 

The troops were reviewed by Governor 
Scott on the 16th of August, and addressed 
by the Rev. James Blythe, and Henry Clay. 
*' At the very moment," says Judge Hall, 
" when the dastardly Hull was consum- 
mating an act of unparalleled meanness, by 
surrendering an important post, and a gallant 
army, vvithout striking a blow for the honor 
of our flag — the unrivalled orator of Ken- 
tucky was pouring out those strains of fervid 
eloquence, which would have kindled up the 
1-atent spark of courage in bosoms less gen- 
erous than those to which he appealed, and 
to which the sons of the hardy pioneers res- 
ponded in bursts of patriotic enthusiasm." 

The manner of, and reasons for General 
Harrison's being selected to command these 
brave men, are clearly recorded by McAffee, 
whose account we copy : — 

*' A few days before the actual attack on 
Detroit by General Brock, an express had 
been sent by General 'Hull, to hasten the re 
inforcement which had been ordered to join 
him from Kentucky. By this conveyance, 



166 LIFE AND TIMES 

several of tlie principal officers of the army, 
had written to their friends in Cincinnati, as 
well as to the Governor of Kentucky, stating 
their entire want of confidence in their com- 
mander, and their apprehensions of some fa- 
tal disaster from his miserable arrangements 
and apparent imbecility and cowardice. These 
letters, also, declared it to be the common 
wish of the army, that General Harrison 
should accompany the expected reinforce- 
ments. He was also very popular in Ken- 
tucky, and was anxiously desired as their com- 
mander by the troops marching from that state 
totlie north-western army But the authority 
with which he had been invested by the Presi- 
dent, did not entitle him to command any 
corps, which was not intended for operations 
in the western territories. 

** The question of giving Harrison the 
command of the detachment on the march 
from Kentucky for Detroit, presented great 
difficulties to the mind of Governor Scott. 
The motives to make the appointment were 
numerous. He had ample testimony of its 
being the wish of the army at Detroit. The 
fourth United States regiment* in particular, 

* To this regiment belonged Mr. Adain Waliier, from whoso 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 167 

which had acquired so much fame at Tippe- 
canoe, under the command of Harrison, he 
was assured by an officer of that corps, were 
eager to see their old commander again placed 
over them. The same desire was felt by the 
Kentucky militia ; and the citizens echoed 
their sentiments in every part of the state. 
To these may be added his own ardent at- 
tachment to Governor Harrison, and entire 
confidence in his fitness for tiie command. 
The obstacles in the way of the appointment 
were, that Harrison was not a citizen of 
Kentucky, the laws of which would not sane 
tion the appointment of any other to an 
office in the mihtia ; and that a Major Gen- 
eral had already been appointed for the de- 
tached militia, one only being required and 
admissible in that corps. Had Governor 
Scott been capable of s!n*inking from his 
duly and tlie responsibility of the occasion, 
he might have easily evaded this delicate busi- 
ness, as the day on which he was deliberating 

narration we have already made an extract, and must now 
take another. In speaking of General Harrison, Mr. Walker 
says, " He appeared not disposed to detain any man against his 
inclination, being endowed by nature with a heart as humane 
as brave ; in his frequent addresses to the militia, his eloquence 
was formed to persuade , appeals were made to r<eason as weU 
as feeling, and never were made in vain " 



168 LIFE AND TIMES 

upon it, was the last but one that he had to 
remain in office. 

" That he might, however, neither act un- 
advisedly, nor appear to assume too much, in 
this situation, he determined to ask the advice 
of the governor elect, and such members of 
Congress, and officers of the general and 
state governments, as could be conveniently 
collected. At this caucus^ composed of Go- 
ver Shelby, the Hon. Henry Clay, speaker 
of the House of Representatives in Congress, 
the Hon. Thomas Todd, judge of the Federal 
Court, &.C., it was unanimously resolved to 
recommend to Governor Scott, to give Har- 
rison a brevet commission of Major General 
in the Kentucky militia, and authorize him 
to take command of the detachment now 
marching to Detroit ; and to reinforce it with 
another regiment which he had called into 
service, and an additional body of mounted 
volunteer riflemen. Tlie Governor conferred 
the appointment agreeably to their advice, 
which was received with general approbation 
by the people, and was hailed by the troops 
at Cincinnati with the most enthusiastic joy." 

The object of the campaign being defeated 
by the contemptible conduct of Hull, General 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRFSON. 169 

Harrison commenced a system of discipline 
and organization, to which he devoted the 
most severe and personal attention. All the 
people looked to him with cheerful confidence, 
and the soldiers never thought of defeat under 
such a leader. 

Shortly after General Winchester was ap- 
pointed by the War Department to the com- 
mand, and Harrison received a Brigadier 
General's commission, in the United States 
army This appointment General Harrison 
declined, until he could learn whether it would 
make him subordinate to General Winches- 
ter. Again we copy from McAffee : — *' The 
troops had confidently expected that General 
Harrison would be confirmed in the com- 
mand ; and by this time he had completely 
secured the confidence of every soldier in the 
army. He was affable and courteous in his 
manners, and indefatigable in his attention to 
every branch of business. His soldiers seemed 
to anticipate the wishes of their general : it 
was only necessary to be known that he wished 
something done, and all were anxious to risk 
their lives in its accomplishment. His men 
would have fought better and suff'ered more 
with him, than witk any other general in 
P 



170 LIFE AND TIMES 

America ; and whatsoever might have been 
the merits of General Winchester, it was 
certainly an unfortunate arrangement which 
transferred the command to him at this mo- 
ment. It is ahsolutely necessary that militia 
soldiers should have great confidence in their 
general, if they are required to obey with 
promptness, or to fight with bravery. The 
men were at last reconciled to march under 
Winchester, but with the confident belief 
that Harrison would be reinstated in the 
command ; and which accordingly was done, 
as soon as the War Department was informed 
of his appointment in the Kentucky troops, 
and his popularity in the western country." 

It was through the exertions of Harrison, 
that many were persuaded to march under 
Winchester. Overlookinfj and forgiving the 
slight of the government toward himself, he 
looked only to the requirements of his country, 
and the exposed situation of the settlements ; 
and went personally among the soldiers and 
induced them to march with Winchester. 
It was ever thus with Mr. Harrison — having 
only the welfare of his country at heart, he 
relinquished most cheerfully all selfish ends, 
and devoted his services to his native land, 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 171 

wherever, whenever and however, slie re- 
quired his kibors. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

State of the country— Harrison relieves Fort Wayne— Win 
Chester takes the command— Harrison appointed to the com 
mand of the western army— His example at bivouac — Discon 
tent in the camp— Harrison's address and the result of it- 
Object of the campaign— Plan of operations— Successful ex 
peditionunder Campbell— Orders from Government— Harrison 
advises the building of a fleet. 

The capture of Hull, left not a fort in our 
hands, upon the upper lakes, nor any regular 
force. A frontier of immense extent and 
hundreds of widely scattered settlements, 
were left in a great measure, entirely unpro- 
tected. The English agents were urging the 
savages to the most barbarous murders, and 
even the British commanding officer appeared 
to feast with delight upon the blood and tor- 
ture of Americans. When General Harrison 
reached Piqua, he was almost without provi- 
sions and arms. He had written to the 
Secretary of War, that there was but one 
piece of artillery (an iron four pounder) in 
the whole country, and that, unless imme- 
diately supplied, he would be obliged to put 



172 LIFE AND TIMES 

muskets in the hands of the cavalry. *' The 
troops which I have with me," he writes, 
" and those which are coming from Kentucky, 
are, perhaps, the best materials for forming 
an army that the world has produced." Yet 
he had no one upon whom he could call for 
assistance in training these noble fellows, ex- 
cept Captain Adams, and he was now sick. 

Hearing that Fort Wayne was invested by 
the Indians, he pushed forward to that post. 
The enemy fled on his approach and he had 
the satisfaction of relieving an important for- 
tress without loss of a man. He now sent 
out detachments to scour the country, and 
the Indian towns and corn fields were de- 
stroyed, in all the surrounding country. Thus 
the enemy was completely crippled, and could 
make no headway against the Americans. 

Shortly after this. General Winchester 
arrived to take the command. He had served 
in the revolution, but was now advanced in 
years, and had lived a life of ease and elegant 
luxury, which unfitted him for the service. 
The troops were dissatisfied, and, as we have 
stated in the last chapter, were only reconciled 
through the exertions of General Harrison 
himself. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 173 

The latter now left the army and was re- 
turning to his residence in Indiana, when lie 
met an express conveying to hira a letter from 
the Secretary of War, appointing him to the 
command of the north-western army. The 
letter, which will be found in our appendix, 
conferred upon General Harrison the most 
extensive and important command, ever in- 
trusted to any officer of the United States — 
Washington and Greene only excepted. It 
concluded with these remarkable words — 
*' You will command such means as may be 
practicable, exercise your oicn discretion, and 
act in all cases according to your own judg- 
ment." At the same time the Secretary also 
wrote to Governor Shelby, that it had been 
determined to place the command in the 
hands of an officer, who possessed military 
character, a knowledge of the country and the 
confidence of the public. " General Harri- 
son has been appointed to the chief com- 
mand," he continues, " with authority to em- 
ploy officers, draw from the public stores, and 
every other practicable source, all the means 
of effectuating the objects of his command." 

It is only necessary here to remark, that 
President Madison, at the time he made this 
P* 



174 LIFE AND TIMES 

appointment, had known General Harrison 
for about twelve years. As Secretary of State 
under Jefferson, Mr. Madison had access 
to the voluminous correspondence of General 
Harrison, and it was with a perfect know- 
ledge of his character that the command of 
the army was given. 

General Harrison now proceeded to St. 
Mary's and Defiance, where he found Gen- 
eral Winchester encamped. The marcli 
was forced, and the soldiers suffered exceed- 
ingly. No tents were in the army, and all 
shared alike the hardships of the season. A halt 
was not ordered until dark, and then all, ex- 
cept the guards, would wrap up in their blank- 
ets, and throw themselves down upon the bare 
ground. One evening they encamped on the 
banks of the Au Glaize, in a flat beech bot- 
tom, and the rain fell in torrents during the 
whole night. There were no axes in the 
army, and many sat without fire, upon their 
saddles — others leaned against trees, or crept 
beneath fallen logs. Being separated from 
the baggage, the troops had nothing to eat or 
drink, and some began to murmur. The 
General sat at a small fire, wrapped in his 
cloak, but drenched to the skin with the fall- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 175 

ing torrents. He was surrounded by his staff, 
and to set an example to the soldiers, he called 
upon one of his officers to sing an Irish comic 
song. Another officer sang another song, the 
chorus of which was : — 

" Now's the time for mirth and glee 
Sing and laugh and dance with me.'' 

The contrast between the frivolity of these 
words, and the howling of the tempest and the 
darkness of the forest, had a powerful effect 
upon the army. The spirit thus shown at 
head quarters spread through all the troops, 
and frequently after, when wading knee-deep 
in the mud, some noble soul would sing out, 

" Nov/'s the time for mirth and glee," 

and the chorus would be instantly repeated 
by the whole line.* 

An interesting incident which occurred on 
the arrival of General Harrison at Win- 
chester's camp, is recorded by Mr. Butler.! 
Overcome by the fatigues of his march. Gen- 
eral Harrison retired to snatch a little repose, 
and his arrival was only know to a few 
officers. 

* Dawton 

t Author of Um Hiitory of Kentucky. 



176 LIFE AND TIMES 

He was soon after awakened by Colonel 
Allen and Major Hardin, who informed him 
that Allen's regiment, exhausted by hard 
fare, had determined to return home. The 
General refused to interfere at that moment, 
but said he would manage the affair in his 
own way, and the officers retired. He how- 
ever, immediately sent one of his aids to di- 
rect General Winchester to order the alarm 
to be beat the next morning instead of the re- 
veille. This diverted the spirits of the dis- 
contented troops, and brought all the men to 
their arms. General Winchester having 
formed them into a hollow square. General 
Harrison appeared on parade, much to the 
surprise of the soldiers who knew nothing of 
his arrival. This was a joyful sight to the 
men, and he at once addressed them. He re- 
gretted that there were many discontented in 
one of the Kentucky regiment. Although this 
was mortifying to himself, on their account, 
it was happily of little importance to the Gov- 
ernment. He had more troops than he well 
knew what to do with, and was expecting yet 
others. It was fortunate that he had dis- 
covered the dissatisfaction early in the cam- 
paign, as it otherwise might have been mis 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 177 

chievous to the publixi interests and disgrace- 
ful to the parties concerned. " Now, so far 
as the government is interested, the discon- 
tented troops, who have come to the woods 
with the expectation of finding all the luxu- 
ries of home and peace, have full liberty to 
return. I will order facilities for their im- 
mediate accommodation ; but I cannot refrain 
from expressing the mortification I anticipate 
from the reception they will meet from the old 
and the young, who greeted them on their 
march to the scene of war, as their gallant 
neighbors. What will be their feelings when 
they see those whom they hailed as their gen- 
erous defenders, now returning without strik- 
ing a blow, and before their term of plighted 
service has expired ? If their fathers do not 
drive back their degenerate sons to the field of 
battle to recover their wounded honor, their 
mothers and sisters will hiss them from their 
presence. If however the discontented men 
are disposed to put up with all the taunts and 
disdain which await them wherever they may 
go, they are at liberty to go back." 

The effect of this address was electric. 
Scott, the senior Kentucky Colonel, called 
upon '* his boys," to attest their attachment to 



178 LIFE AND TIMES 

their country and tlieir general, by chiving him 
three cheers. The air resounded with*a joy- 
ful peal. Colonel Lewis now called for and 
received a similar demonstration from his men. 
With a feeling which almost choked his utter- 
ance, the brave Allen, now appealed to the 
disaffected resjiment. They threw up their 
voices in a loud shout, and returned cheer- 
fully to their duty. From that time no troops 
were more faithful, " until the fatal day when 
most of them gave their lives to their country, 
Dn the bloody field of Raisin."* 

The objects of the present campaign were 
to retake Detroit, and to expel the British 
from the territory of the United States — to 
protect the extensive frontier and reduce Mai- 
den, in upper Canada. The militia were 
badly armed and clothed, and no regular sys- 
tem for furnishing supplies had been estab- 
lished. Every article for the army was to be 
conveyed two hundred miles at least, th.rough 
the wilderness, in wagons or on pack-horses. 

Thfe ground was swampy and extremely 
difficult to be passed. All the various depart- 
ments which should have been filled by proper 
officers, were left almost solely to Harrison's 

* Judge Hall. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 170 

personal supervision. The lakes presented 
innumerable inlets wliere tlie enemy could 
land, and which were almost indefensible from 
their very localities. 

The General drew up his plan of opera- 
tions at the outset. The Rapids of the Miami 
of the Lakes, was the point of concentration, 
from which the principal movement against 
the enemy was to be made. The mihtary 
base extended from upper Sandusky on the 
right, to Fort Defiance on the left. The right 
division, a Virginia and a Pennsylvania bri- 
gade, he commanded in person. Three Ken- 
tucky regiments at Fort Defiance, were com- 
manded by .General Winchester, who was 
directed to attend for the present, chiefly to 
forwarding supplies for the main expedition 
against Detroit. A brigade of Ohio militia 
formed the centre, at Fort M' Arthur, and was 
commanded by Brigadier General Tupper. 
Each corps had a separate line of operations, 
terminating at the Rapids, General Harrison 
passed along the line, employing himself in 
expediting the march of the troops, and for- 
warding artillery and supplies. Fort Win- 
chester was completed ; and Fort Barbee, at 
St. Mary's, and Fort Amand, or the Au 



180 LIFE AND TIMES 

Glaise, were erected, and a fortified work wa? 
thrown up at Colonel Jenning's encampment. 
Boats and canoes were also built. 

Some operations in the field, for driving 
back the enemy took place in the fall. Two 
under General Tupper, which were unsuc- 
cessful. Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, was 
sent by General Harrison, with sij: hundred 
men, to attack a fortified and well defended 
Indian village. The affair was gallantly con- 
ducted, and the town was taken after an ac- 
tion of one hour. The Colonel had 8 men 
killed, 48 wounded, and a large number ren- 
dered unfit for service, by fatigue, frost and 
sickness. In the general order, Harrison 
applauded the perseverance, fortitude and 
bravery of Colonel Campbell's troops. His 
orders to spare the women, children, and the 
prisoners, were punctually obeyed, for which 
he highly extolled the whole detachment. The 
order contained the following noble and beau- 
tiful sentiments : — 

" Let an account of murdered innocence 
be opened in the records of heaven, against 
our enemies alone. The American soldier 
will follow the example of his government; 
and the sword of the one will not be raised 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 181 

against the fallen and helpless, nor the gold of 
the other be paid for the scalps of a massa- 
cred enemy." 

As the season advanced, new difficulties pre- 
sented themselves, and he was obliged to re- 
linquish the idea of taking Maiden during that 
campaign, as it could only be done at a great 
sacrifice of life and risk of failure. He so 
wrote to the government, stating that the pro- 
ject was not warrantable under any correct 
military principles. lu reply, Mr. Monroe 
then Secretary of War, said, that from the 
distance and imperfect knowledge of things 
on the frontier, it was impossible for the Pres- 
ident to decide, to his own satisfaction or to 
the advantage of the public. " No person,'* 
continues Mr. Monroe, •' can be so compe- 
tent to that decision as yourself, and the Pres 
ident has great confidence in the solidity of 
the opinion you may form. He wishes you to 
weigh nmturely this important subject ««c? take 
that part which your judgn^ent may dictated 

General Harrison now advised the building 
of vessels to contend with the English upon 
the lakes. This advice was soon after fol- 
lowed, and the wisdom of the suggestiott 
was evinced by repeated naval victories. 
Q 



182 LIFE AND TIMES 



CHAPTER XX. 

Attack on Fort Harrison— Massacre on the Pigeon Roost Fork- 
Volunteers from Kentucky— Expeditions of General Hopkins — 
Expedition of Governor Edwards and Colonel Russell— Orders 
of General Harrison — Winchester neglects to regard the in- 
structions of General .Harrison — Lewis advances to French- 
town— Gallant action at Pienchtown — Massacre of the River 
Raisin— Conduct of the brave Madison — Conduct of the British 
government- Harrison's surprise at Winchester's conduct- 
Exertions of the former to remforce the latter. 

A body of Kickapoos and Winnebagoes 
attempted to gain admission to Fort Harrison, 
on the 3d of September. Captain Zachart 
Taylor, the commandant, kept the garrison 
on the alert. On the day following an assault 
was made, and the enemy gallantly repulsed. 
Foiled in this, the Indians fell upon the set- 
tlements on the Pigeon Roost Fork of Wlwte 
River, and cruelly tortured arrd murdered 
twenty one men, women and children. The 
savages were in the pay of the British govern- 
ment. An escort of provisions of J 3 men, 
was surprised near Fort Harrison, and cut to 
pieces. In Illinois and Missouri the most 
outrageous cruelties were committed, and 
many of the settlements were completely de- 
serted. The veteran Colonel Russell, U. S. 
4., Bent a band of volunteers from Fort Har- 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 183 

rison to Illinois, and assisted the Governor of 
that Territory in organizing the mihtia. 

The points to be defended were scattered 
•over a vast region of country, and though the 
care of it fell upon General Harrison, officers 
in the distant sections were frequently obliged 
to act for themselves, not having time to re- 
ceive orders from head quarters. The patriotic 
Governor Shelby appealed to the noble Ken- 
tuckians, and 2,000 mounted volunteers im- 
mediately assembled to defend the exposed 
border. The excess was so g''^^^ that many- 
were necessarily rejected. One veteran be- 
Jonging to a company not accepted, remarked, 
•' Well, well, Kentucky has often glutted the 
market with hemp, flour and tobacco ; and 
now she has done it with volunteers."* 

By General Harrison's appointment, these 
troops W€re assembled at Vincennes, in the 
beginning of October, and General Samuel 
Hopkins, of the Kentucky militia ^assumed 
the command. He marched against tlie 
Kickappo villages, but being deceived by the 
guides, and in want of provisions, the expedi- 
tion failed, and returned. A court of inquiry 
afterward relieved General PIopkins from all 

* Judse Hall. 



184 LIFE AND TIMES 

censure, and the frontier was for some time 
after, in a state of apparent safety. General 
Hopkins was despatched by General Harri- 
son in November, at the head of a body of 
infantry, against the Indians on the Wabash. 
On the 19th, the detachment reached the Pro- 
phet's town, which was destroyed. A Kick- 
apoo and a Winnebago village met the same 
fate. 

About the same time Governor Edwards, 
of Illinois, and Colonel Russell surprised 
the principal village of the Kickapoos, at 
the head of Peoria Lake, killed a large num- 
ber of warriors, destroyed their corn, and 
captured about SO horses. 

General Harrison had directed General 
Winchester to advance to the Rapids. The 
former arrived at upper Sandusky, December 
18th, but no word had yet been received of 
the movement commanded. Another order 
was now sent to Winchester — that as soon as 
he had procured 20 day's provisions, he was 
authorized to make the advance previously 
directed. 

When at the Rapids, he was to commence 
building huts to induce tiie enemy to believe 
that he was going into winter quarters. He 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 185 

was also to construct sleds for the expedition 
against Maiden, but to lead the men to sup- 
pose they were for transporting provisions 
from the interior. The different lines were to 
meet at the Rapids, and a choice detachment 
would be mi**"€hed on rapidly to Maiden. 

Having heard subsequently, that Tecumthe 
had collected a large force on the head waters 
of the Wabash, and apprehending that the 
advance of the left wing would afford the 
chief an opportunity to destroy the provisions 
left on the line, General Harrison sent an- 
other despatch to General Winchester, re- 
commending him to abandon the advance, and 
fall back with the greater part of his force to 
Fort Jennings. In the meanwhile, however, 
Winchester had commenced his march for 
the Rapids, and did not conceive that he was 
bound by the last instruction to alter his plan. 
He had sent forward Mr. Leslie Combs, a 
brave young Kentuckian, to inform the com- 
mander-in-chief of his movement. Accom- 
panied by a single guide, Mr. Combs per- 
formed the journey on foot. 

On the 10th of January, Winchester 
reached the Rapids and fortified a good posi- 
tion on the north bank of the river, and a few 



::>l6 LIFE AND TIMES 

ns after several messengers arrived from tlie 
r-Raisin, with intelligence that a body of 
^ *iians was moving toward the settlement, 
'."1 protection was requested. Early on the 
•"-■i^-'l Colonel Lewis with 550 men, was sent 
i''fl«the Raisin, and later in the same day, 
"*€)lonel Allen was despatched with 110 more. 
»An express from Colonel Lewis, at Presque 
Isle, brought word that 400 Indians were at 
^the Raisin, and that Colonel Elliot was ex- 
»^ected from Maiden, with a detachment of 
British and Indians, to attack the camp at 
■'^\^ Rapids. This intelligence was then for- 
f{^ed to head quarters. 
On the 16th of January, General Harrison 
jcirned, from General Perkins, who was sta- 
•i; oned at lower Sandusky, t!iat a battalion had 
t , 'hi soHcited from tlie latter by General Win- 
STER, who was meditating a movement 
inst tlie enemy. General Harrison became 
.. eedingly ahirmed at this information, so 
trary to his views and directions, yet made 
^ery exertion to get foward artillery and pro- 
visions. The commander-in-chief knew well 
the imprudence of attempting any nrovement 
unless well prepared and with a complete plan 
organized. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 

Colonel Lewis pressed forward and fc 
the enemy prepared to meet him at Fi 
town. An attack was resolved upon, 
companies of McCracken, Bledsoe 
Matson, commanded by Allen, forme( 
ri^lit ; those of Hamilton, Williams 
Kelly, under Rfnjor Graves, tlie left; th«. 
of HiGHTowER, Collier and Sabree, unde 
Major Madison, t!ie centre ; and those o 
Hickman, Glaves and James, under Captaii. 
Ballard, the advanced guard. Tlie enem; 
posted among tiie houses, were soon di: 
lodged by Graves and Madison. The 
treating foe was met by Allen, and driv,, ; 
the woods. "i» 

Here a desperate but short engagement tot 
place, and the English were driven for tu , 
miles before the continual charge of the t'a 
Kentuckians, though the latter had ma.^ 
forced march that day, of eighteen miles i($;' 
ice. In noticing the action. General Harris* 
said, '* the troops amply supported the do^;, 
character of Americans and Kentuckian.s^o 
Our loss, 12 killed, 55 wounded. The enemy 
had iOO regulars and 400 Indians in the field, 
under Major Reynolds, and their loss was 
much heavier than ours. 



18H LIFE AND TIMES 

Instead of retiring after this brilliant affair 
Lewis determined to maintain liis position 
General Winchester approved his decision,* 
and iiastened forward to support the Colonel, 
with 250 men. These arrived at Frenchtown 
on the evening of the 20th. The troops under 
Lewis were protected from musketry by the 
garden pickets in the town, while the rein- 
forcement was without cover, in the open field. 
Though no movement was made by the ene- 
my until the morning of the 22d, yet not even 
a picket guard had been stationed upon any 
of the roads. During the night of the 21st, 
the British had come up, unobserved, and at 
daylight fired bombs, balls, and grape shot, 
from heavy pieces of artillery, at a distance 
of only three hundred yards. The reinforce- 
ment was sadly injured by tlie fire of the 
enemy, and soon fled across the river in the 
tmost confusion. The Indians gained our 
lank and rear, and butchered our soldiers 
most shockingly. General Winchester and 
tfome of the troops were taken prisoners, and 
marched to the British camp. Lewis still 

* It is to be greatly regretted, that after so signal a triumph, 
-his fine detacliment iiad not retired, or that General Harrison 
nad not been apprised of these movements in time to support 
them. — Judge Hall 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 189 

maintained his position and frequently re- 
pulsed the enemy, until tlie Indians grained 
his flank, wiien a general and indiscriminate 
massacre ensued. Lewis was made a pri- 
soner, and having had his coat stripped off, 
was conducted to the enemy's camp. Allen 
being badly wounded, surrendered to an In- 
dian. Another assailed him, whom Allen 
struck dead at his feet, and was in turn shot 
down by a third savage. Garrett, with 15 
or 20 men, surrendered, and all but himself 
were butchered on the spot. A party of 30 
were surrounded, and half of them slain at 
once. 

Graves and Madison still maintained their 
position within the picketing, and with their 
troops, behaved most gallantly. The former 
being severely wounded, sat down, and as he 
wiped the blood from his wound, exclaimed, 
" Never mind me, my boys — fight on !" Proc- 
tor, with all his British regulars and savage 
allies, could not subdue tiiis brave band of 
Americans. They gave not an inch to the 
foe. 

A flag was at last sent to Madison, with an 
order from Winchester, by his aid Major 
Overton, to surrender. Proctor accompa- 



190 MFE AND TIMES 

nied the flag', and made the demand, but 
Major Madison replied, that he would not 
surrender, unless the safety of his men could 
be guaranteed. Proctor demanded, " Sir, do 
you mean to dictate to me ?" " No," returned 
the intrepid Mjijor, " I intend to dictate for 
myself; and we prefer selling our lives as 
dearly as possible, rather than be massacred 
'u\ cold blood," 

The surrender was made on express con- 
ditions — that the officers should retain their 
side arms — the sick and wounded to be care- 
fully removed — private property to be respect- 
ed, and the prisoners protected by a guard. 
Proctor disregarded all stipulations, and 
handed over the prisoners to the Indians, 
who butchered them in cold blood. Some of 
their bodies were thrown into the flames of 
the burning village, while others, shockingly 
mnngled, were left exposed in the streets. 
These awful deeds were continued for sev- 
eral days/* 

" For the massacre at the River Raisiii, for 
which any other civilized government would 
have dismissed, and perhaps have gibbeted 
the commander. Colonel Proctor received 

* Hall and McAffee. 



OF WILLIAM nENRY IIARRKOIV. " Wf 

the rank of Major General in the British 
army !"* 

The enemies of General Harrison cen- 
sured him for the advance of the unfortunate 
detachment, though the Commander-in-chief 
had no hand whatever in the movement; 
neither did he know of it until after it had 
marched. It was contrary to his orders, and 
explicit instructions communicated by his aid 
to General Winchester. Colonel Wood, in 
alluding to the first intelligence of the ad- 
vance, received at head quarters, says : — 

" This news for a moment paralyzed the 
army^ or at least the thinking part of it, for 
no one could imagine that it was possible for 
him (Winchester) to be guilty of so hazard- 
ous a step. General Harrison was aston- 
ished at the imprudence and inconsistency 
of such a measure, which, if carried into exe- 
cution, could be viewed in no other light than 
as attended with certain and inevitable de- 
struction to the left wing. Nor was it a diffi- 
cult matter to foresee and predict the terrible 
consequences which were sure to mark the 
result of a scheme, no less rash in its concep- 
tion, than hazardous in its execution." * * * 

* McAff&e. 



192 LIFE AND TIMES 

' What human means, within the control of 
Harrison, could prevent the anticipated dis- 
aster, and save that corps which was already 
looked upon as lost — as doomed to inevitable 
destruction t Certainly none. What would a 
TuRENNE or an Eugene have done, under 
such a pressure of embarrassing circum- 
stances, more than Harrison did?" 
Again we copy from McAffee: — 
" With respect to reinforcing the detach 
ment, a recurrence to facts equally proves 
that Harrison is not blameable, as he made 
every exertion in his power to support it. It 
was not until the night of tlie 16th that he 
received information indirectly through Gen- 
eral Perkins, that Winchester had arrived 
at the Rapids. By the same express he was 
advised that Winchester meditated some un- 
known movement against the enemy. Alarm- 
ed at this information, he immediately made 
every exertion which the situation of his affairs 
required. He was then at Upper Sandusky, 
his principal deposit of provisions and muni- 
tions of war, wiiici) is sixty miles from the 
Rapids by the way of Portage River, and 
seventy-six by the way of Lower Sandusky; 
and about thirty-eight more from the River 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON'. 193 

Raisin. He immediately sent an express to 
the Rapids, for information ; gave orders for 
a corps of 300 men to advance with the artil- 
lery, and escorts to proceed with provisions ; 
and in the morning he proceeded himself to 
Lower Sandusky, at which place he arrived in 
the night following, a distance of forty miles, 
which he travelled in seven hours and a half, 
over roads requiring such exertion, that the 
'fi' horse of his aid, Major Hakill, fell dead on 
their arrival at the fort. He found there, that 
General Perkins had prepared to send a bat- 
talion to the Rapids, in conformity with a 
request from General Winchester. That 
battalion was despatched next morning, the 
J8th, will) a piece of artillery; but the roads 
were so bad, that it was unable, by its utmost 
exertions, to reach the River Raisin, a dis- 
tance of seventy-five miles, before the fatal 
disaster. 

'* General Harrison tlien determined to 
proceed to the Rapids hiinself, to learn per- 
sonally from General Winchester his situa- 
tion and views. At four o'clock on the morn- 
Ping of the 19ih, while he still remained at 
Lower Sandusky, he received the information, 
that Colonel Lewis had been sent with a de 
R 



194 LIFE AND TIMES 

tachment, to secure tlie provisions on the 
River Raisin, and to occupy, with the inten- 
tion of holding, the villao;e of Frenchtown. 
There was then but one regiment and a bat- 
talion at Lower Sandusky, and the regiment 
was immediately put in motion, with orders 
to make forced marches for the Rapids ; and 
General Harrison himself immediately pro- 
ceeded to the same place. On his way he 
met an express with intelligence of the suc- 
cessful battle, which had been fought on the 
preceding day. The anxiety of General Har- 
rison to push forward, nnd either prevent or 
remedy any misfortune which might occur, 
as soon as he was apprised of the advance to 
the River Raisin, was manifested by the great 
personal exertions which he made in this in- 
stance. He started in a sleigh with General 
Perkins, to overtake the battalion under Cot- 
grove, attended by a single servant. As the 
sleigh went very slow, from the roughness of 
the road, he took the horse of his servant, and 
pushed on alone. Night came upon iiim in 
the midst of the swamp, which was so imper- 
fectly frozen that the horse sunk to his belly 
at every step. He had no resource but to dis- 
mount and lead his horse, jumping himself 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 195 

from one sod to another which was solid 
enough to support him. Wlien almost ex- 
liausted, he met one of Cotgrove's men 
cominjT back to look for his bayonet, which 
he said he had left at a place where he stop- 
ped, and for which he would have a dollar 
stopped from his pay, unless he recovered it. 
The General told him he would not only par- 
don him for the Ibss, but supply him with 
another, if he would assist him to get his 
horse through the swamp. By his aid, the 
General was enabled to reach the camp of the 
battalion. 

"Very early on the morning of the 20th he 
arrived at the Rapids, from which place Gen- 
eral Winchester had gone, on the preceding 
evening, with all his disposable force, to the 
River Raisin. Nothing more could now be 
done, but wait the arrival of the reinforce- 
ments from Lower Sandusky," 

" Instead of censure being due to Harrison, 
he merits praise for his prud(MJt exertions, from 
the moment he was apprised of Winchester's 
arrival, at the Rapids," 



196 LIFE AND T]Mi:s 



CHAPTER XXI. 

The army retires to the Portage— Advances to the Rapids- 
Camp Meigs— Perry ordered to the Frontier— Landing of the 
British and Indians— Siege commenced— BrilHant sortie under 
Colonel Miller-Gallant charge of the Kentuckians under 
Dudley— The seige raised by the British. 

General Harrison was at tlie Rapids 
when tlie news of the disaster at the River 
Raisin reached that place. The force of tlie 
enemy was supposed to be much larger than 
our own, and a council of war concluded 
upon abandoning the present position of the 
left wing as untenable. The army retired 
the next day to the Porta«!,e, 18 miles, where 
the general concluded to wait for a reinforce- 
ment under General Leftwicii, and then re- 
turn to the Rapids. The latter did not arrive 
until the 30th of January, and on the 3Ist, 
the army now numbering 1,700, marched to 
the foot of the Rapids, and a good position 
was selected on tlie opposite side of the river 
from that previously occupied. All the troops 
were ordered forward, except a few compa- 
nies left on the Au Glaize and St. Mary's. 
The advance soon amounted to 2,000 men, 
but it was now ascertained that the different 



li 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 197 

corps were so much reduced, that the whole 
effective force was only 4,000. 

Finding it impossible to advance upon 
Maiden this season, General Harrison had 
his camp strongly fortified under the direction 
of Captain Wood. A substantial picket- 
ing inclosed an area 2,500 yards in circum- 
ference — 8 double timbered block houses, 
4 large batteries, and store houses and maga- 
zines were constructed. This position was 
called Camp Meigs, after the brave and excel- 
lent Governor of Ohio. 

Having seen the garrison as well provided 
as it could be under the circumstances, Gene- 
ral Harrison repaired to Cincinnati to make 
arrangements for opening the spring cam- 
paign with the utmost vigor. He urged more 
strongly than ever, the necessity of having a 
fleet to compete with the English on Lake 
Erie, and the bold and daring Perry, was at 
length sent to the frontier to build, launch, 
arm, and man a number of vessels. 

General Harrison having heard that the 

enemy intended an expedition against Camp 

Meigs, hastened to the scene of the ex 

. peeled action, and reached the camp on the 

12th of April. He had written to the Gov- 



198 LIFE AND TIMES 

ernor of Kentucky for reinforcements, and 
now expected General Clay with 3,000 men. 
A few companies despatched in advance, ar- 
rived before the camp was invested, On the 
28th, it was ascertained that the enemy was 
advancing in full force. 

On parade the commander-in-chief ad- 
dressed the soldiers — roused their military 
pride and love of country, and he was an 
swered by repeated and deafening shouts of 
applause. 

Camp IMeigs was near the battle ground 
where Wayne had so completely routed the 
Indians and English, in 1794, and General 
Harrison alluded to that event, in a happy and 
forcible manner.* 

* General Harrison spoke thus. " Can the citizens of a free 
countrj', who have taken up arms to defend its rights, think of 
submitting to an army composed of mercenary soldiers, reluc- 
tant Canadians goaded to the field by the bayonet, and of 
wretched, naked savages ? Can the breast of an American sol- 
dier, when he casts his eyes to the opposite shore, the scene of his 
country's triumphs over the same foe, be influenced by any other 
feelings than the hope of glory 1 Is not the army composed of ihe 
same materials with that which fought and conquered under the 
immortal Wayne ? Yes, fellow soldiers, your general sees your 
countenances beam with the same fire that he witnessed on that 
occasion; and though it would be the height of presumption to 
compare himself to that hero, he boasts of being that hero's pupil 
To your posts then, fellow citizens, and remember that the eyes 
of your country are upon you." 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 199 

The British took up a position about two 
miles from Camp Meigs on the opposite shore, 
while thelncJians landed on this side and sur- 
rounded the American camp. Both armies 
commenced necessary works. On the morn- 
ing of the 1st of May, the Englisli artillerists 
were at their guns. Orders were given in the 
American camp, for the tents to be struck. 
In a few minutes the canvas was removed, and 
nothing was to be seen but a long breast work 
of earth, behind which the army was securely 
encamped. The Americans had erected a 
grand traverse, 12 feet high, running entirely 
across the camp, upon a base 20 feet broad 
and 300 yards long. For five days tlie enemy 
threw a continuous shower of balls, but with 
very little effect. General Harrison kept up 
a heavy fire in the meantime. 

At midnight on the 4th, Captain Oliver 
arrived at Camp Meigs, and informed General 
Harrison that General Clay would reach him 
at dawn the next morning with his glorious 
Kentuckians. Harrison despatched Captain 
Hamilton to Clay with fresh orders, direct- 
ing him to land 800 men, a mile and a half 
above Camp Meigs on the opposite side of 
the river, for an assault upon the British bat- 



200 LIFE AND TIMES 

teries. The rest of Clay's troops were to 
land on this side and cut their way into the 
fort. 

In landing, the boats were separated by the 
rapidity of the current, and it was some time 
before all could act together. Captain Peter 
Dudley, with 50 men, cut his way into camp 
without loss. The Indians annoyed the land- 
ing of Colonel Boswell, but he formed and 
returned their fire. llARRisoNsent out Major 
Alexander, with the Pittsburgh Blues and 
thePetersburgh volunteers, and the companies 
of Nearing and Dudley, to relieve Boswell. 
When joined by these troops, the Kentuckians 
had fought their way to the gates of the fort. 
They all now formed — charged the Indians, 
and drove them half a mile at the point of the 
bayonet. Harrison now perceived from the 
battery on which he stood, a body of British 
and Indians, on the left and rear of Boswell, 
and recalled the troops. He now ordered a 
sortie against the enemy's batteries on this 
side. 

The command was given to Colonel John 
Miller, of the regulars, and the detach- 
ment numbered 350 men. The batteries were 
charged ; the English driven oif and their 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 201 

guns spiked. The enemy was completely 
discomfited, and 41 soldiers were made pri- 
soners. The beaten force numbered 200 Bri- 
tish regulars, 150 Canadians, and 500 Indians. 
Miller returned to the fort triumphant. This 
action lasted 45 minutes, and our loss was 180 
killed and wounded. 

While this was goino^ on, Dudley had 
landed on tbe opposite side of the river — 
charged the enemy's batteries at full speed, 
and pulled down the British flag without loss 
of a man. General HAURrsoN made signals 
for Dudley and his men to retire, but they 
loitered about examining the works. Camp 
BELL was sent to recall them, but the Indians 
gathered on their flank, and attacked Captain 
Comb's company. Dudley again charged 
the foe, and drove them two miles The 
enemy now rallying, attacked JMajor Shelby, 
who had remained at the batteries. Some of 
his men were made prisoners and others dri 
veil to the boats. The Major rallied the rest ; 
drove back the foe, and hastened to assist 
Dudley. A retreat was undertaken, but so 
great was the disorder that most of Dudley's 
men were taken prisoners.* 

- Thus ended in signal di'^iaster, an aii'iiir planned wilh wis- 



202 LIFE AND TIMES 

The noble Dudley and many of his gallant 
companions were now dehberately toma- 
hawked, nor did General Proctor attempt to 
stay the massacre. He even allowed the In- 
dians to fire at random upon the disarmed 
crowd.* These barbarities were stopped at 
last, by TecumthEjT who has since been 
styled, by one of the prisoners, " nature no- 
bleman." 

Proctor sent to Camp Meigs to summon 
Harrison to surrender. The General replied 

dom, commenced with the brightest hopes, conducted for a time 
with skill and gallantry, and blasted in its event by the impru- 
dence of a generous band, who suffered their impulse to lead 
them, instead of obeying the orders of their General. Had the 
instructions given to Dudley been pursued, or an ordinary de- 
gree of military judgment exercised, the events of that day 
would have been among the brightest in the annals of our coun- 
try, and Kentucky saved from the mournful office of lamenting 
the loss of some of her noblest sons —Judge Hall. 

* Those who preferred to inflict a still more cruel and savage 
death, selected their victims, and lead them to the gateway, and 
there, under the eye of General Proctor, and in. the presence of the 
■whole British army, tomahawked and scalped them. — Colonel Wood- 

f- Th'is horrid work of destruction continued until the arrival ot 
Tecumthe from the batteries. No sooner did the savage warrior 
behold the massacre, than he exclaimed, •' For shame ! it is adis- 
grace to kill a defenceless prisoner ;" and stopped the carnage. 
One of oar historians remarks, " In this single act, Tecuintha 
displayed more humanity, magnanimity and civilization, than 
Proctor, with all his British associates iri command, displa^-ed 
through the whole war on the North-western frontier." — Judge 
Hall. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 203 

tlifit the messnge was an affront which must 
not be repeated. The action occurred on the 
5th, and on the Sth, Proctor acknowledged 
that he was beaten by raising the siege and 
making the best of his way off. During the 
whole of the action, General Harrison had 
stood in an exposed situation on one of the 
batteries, noting every movement.* 

Leaving General Clay in command, Gen- 
eral Harrison now visited other posts to look 
after the security of all. GovernorMEios had 
raised a stout column of volunteers, and was 
leading them in person to relieve the American 
army, when the news of the retreat of the 
English reached him, and he disbanded his 
troops. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Colonel Johnson's mounted regiment— Skirmishes— Second siege 
of Fort iVIeigs— Council with the Indians— Harrison repairs 
to the Fort— Colonel Johnson ordered to Illinois— Order re- 
scinded—Siege of Fort iMeigs raised— Attack on Fort Stephen- 
son— Orders to Croghan— His gallant defence of the Fort- 
Publication by the officers — Croghan's card. 

Colonel Richard M. Johnson! had sug- 
gested the organization of two re^jiments of 

* Vide Appendix. 

f At that time a member of Congress from Kentucky, and 
now, 1840, Vice President of the United States. 



204 LIFE AND TIMES 

inounted militia, to traverse the whole frontier 
The Secretary of War submitted the phin to 
General Harrison, who thought these troops 
could only be advantageously employed in the 
summer and fall. On the 26th of February, 
1813, Colonel Johnson was authorized to raise 
a mounted regiment to serve under General 
Harrison. The brave Colonel lost not an 
hour in obeying the instructions he had re- 
ceived, and proceeded at once to St. Mary's, 
and thence to Fort Wayne, with 900 daring 
Kentuckians.* In the march several de- 
monstrations were made against the Indian 
villages. 

In April, Fort Madison on the Upper Mis- 
sissippi, was attacked, and soon after Fort 
Mason, by the Indians. In both assaults they 
were nobly repulsed. On the frontiers of 
Missouri and Illinois, repeated cruelties were 

* Colonel Johnson's brother James was appointed lieutenant 
colonel. The majors were, Duval Payne and David Thomp- 
son. The captains, R. B. McAffee (the author of the history of 
the late war,) Richard Matson, Jacob Elliston, Benjamin War 
field, Jolm Payne, Elijah Craigr, Jacob Stucker, James Davidson, 
S. R. Combs, W. M. Price and James Coleman. Jeremiah Kirt- 
by was adjutant ; B. S. Chambers, quarter-master ; S. Theobalds 
Judge Advocate ; L. Dickinson, Sargeant Major; James Sugget, 
chaplain. The Surgeons were Drs. Ewing, Coburn and Rich- 
ardson. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 205 

committed by the savages. In the meanwhile 
the British had collected about 2,500 Indian 
warriors, at Maiden. 

General Clay having learned that Fort 
Meigs was to be again besieged by the enemy, 
sent for the mounted regiment. Johnson ad- 
dressed his men in a style of enthusiastic ar- 
dor, and marched immediately to Fort Meigs, 
where he arrived without meeting any op- 
position. General Harrison was at Frank- 
linton, when he received the news. He 
held a council with the chiefs of some of 
the friendly tribes, and told them they must 
now decide for or against the Americans. 
They all chose to be with us, and were in- 
formed that he would send them word when 
their services were required. '* But you must 
conform to our mode of warfare," said he, 
*' and you are not to lull defenceless prisoners, 
old men, Avonien, or children."* 

* '• He remarked, that by their conduct he would be able to 
determine whether the British could restrain the Indians em 
ployed by them ; for if the Indians fighting with him, should ab- 
stain from such atrocities, the British would have equal influ- 
ence with their own allies. He humorously told them that 
General Proctor had promised to deliver him into the hands of 
Teeumthe, to be treated as that warrior might determine. ' Now 
if I can tucceed in taking Proctor,' said he, ' You shall have him 
foryour prisoner, provided that you will agree to treat him as a 
$qu<xw, and do him no other harm than to dress him in petti- 
S 



206 LIFE AND TIMES 

The commander-in-chief left Franklinton 
immediately for Fort Meigs, where he arrived 
by forced marches on the 28th of June, with 
300 men of the 24th regiment of U. S. in- 
fantry, under Colonel Anderson. At the 
pressing solicitation of Governor Edwards of 
lihnois. General Harrison received a com- 
munication from the War Department, in- 
structing him to order Colonel Johnson to re- 
pair to Kaskaskia with his mounted regiment, 
and report to General Howard, then com- 
manding in Missouri. Tiiis order created 
great indignation among the mounted men, 
and the patriotic Colonel at once wrote to Gen- 
eral Harrison, stating that his men were at 
Lower Sandusky, and desired to remain un- 
der the command of a general in whom they 
all had confidence. He stated also, that the 
horses were much jaded, and required rest. 
That his men were anxious for employment, 
and that he and they would cheerfully obey 
any orders coming from General Harrison 
" at every hazard." Upon the receipt of this 
ietter, which will be found in our appendix, 
General Harrison addressed the War De- 
coats ; for he must be a coward who would kill a defenceless 
prisoner.' ^'—HalVs Memoir. 



OF WILIJAM HExN'RY HARRISON. 207 

partment, and the order for detaching the regi- 
ment to Illinois was rescinded. 

The Indians again filled the country in the 
vicinity of Fort Meigs, early in July. Te- 
CUMTHE and Dickson, an active partizan 
among the British Indians, had under their 
command 5,000 warriors. 

Leaving Fort Stephenson,* under the com- 
mand of Major Croghan, with 160 regulars, 
General Harrison established his head quar- 
ters at Seneca Town, nine miles further up 
the river, and began to fortify his camp. At 
this time he had but 140 regulars with him, 
but 450 more arrived soon after. From Se- 
neca Town he could fall back upon Upper 
Sandusky, or proceed to Fort Meigs by a se- 
cret route. The two latter were points to be 
defended. 

On the 28th of July, the siege of Fort 
Meigs was abandoned, and the enemy pre- 
pared for a grand attack upon Sandusky. 

* Fort Stephenson was not a regular fortification. It had been 
a trading post, and consisted of a large house surrounded by 
pickets. General Harrison had enlarged it on one side, for a 
temporary depot for provisions, and had drawn a ditch round the 
whole, so as to render it safe from an attack by Indians. It was 
a mere outpost of but httle importance. It was only calculated 
for a garrison of 200 men, and could not be defended again.st 
fleavy artillery. 



208 LIFE AND TIMES 

Fort Stephenson was surrounded by com- 
manding; heights, and the orders to Major 
Croghan were — *' Should t!ie British ap- 
proach you in force, with cannon, and you can 
discover them in time to effect a retreat, you 
will do so immediateiy.'* " You must be 
aware, that the attempt to retreat in the face of 
an Indian force would be vain, Against such 
an enemy your garrison would be safe, how- 
ever great the number."* 

Anticipating an attack on Fort Stephenson 
or his head quarters, directly after the siege 
of Fort Meigs was raised. General Harrison 
called a council of war, which agreed with 
him in regard to Fort Stephenson, and all 
concluded that the garrison should be with- 
drawn. An order was, therefore, immediately 
sent to Croghan to " abandon the fort, set 
fire to it, and repair to head quarters." The 
messenger missed the way, and the order was 
not received until the next day, when, finding 
that the Indians were about the fort in large 
numbers, he sent an answer that he was de- 
termined to maintain the place. He wrote in 
this manner lest the note should fall, as he 
expected it would, into the hands of the ene- 

* Dawson. McAffee. 



OF WILLIAM IIENRy HARRISON. 209 

my. The reason was not however known, 
and he was ordered to head quarters for dis- 
obedience of orders. When lie came and ex- 
plained the meaning, he was immediately 
reinstated in his command and returned to 
the fort. 

During all these proceedings several little 
skirmishes took place, and a squadron of dra- 
goons sent to Fort Steplienson with the order 
for Croghan's appearance at head quarters, 
found a party of Indians lurking near the fort, 
whom they pursued and cut down. 

On the morning of the 31st of July, the 
enemy approached Fort Stephenson by vva- 
ter, and landed troops, with a light howitzer. 
Croghan was summoned to surrender, and 
told he could not be protected against the 
savages, should he be captured. The gallant 
young Major replied, " That when the fort 
should be taken, there would be none left to 
massacre; as it would not be given up while 
a man was able to fight." Tlie fort was sur- 
rounded by 500 British regulars and 800 In- 
dians,, commanded by General Proctor. Te- 
cuMTHE, with 2,000 warriors, watched the 
road to Fort Meigs, to intercept reinforce- 
ments. A fire was opened by the enemy fiom 



210 LIFE AND TIMES 

the liowitzer and some six pounders in the 
boats. Croghan had but one gun, a six 
pounder, which lie moved and fired from 
place to place, to induce the foe to imagine 
that he had more artillery, 

But little damage was done that day. On 
the day following the firing was continued, 
and in the evening the whole force of the 
enemy made a grand assault in two columns. 
One column was completely cut up by tke six 
pounder, discharged from a musket embra- 
sure. I'he other was as suddenly discomfited, 
by the incessant discharge of musketry kept 
up by Captain Hunter. It was quite dark 
when the fiiii:i)ting ceased. 

The English left a colonel, a lieutenant, 
and 35 privates dead in the ditch, and 26 
were taken prisoners, badly wounded. Our 
loss was one killed, and only seven slightly 
wounded. The total loss of the enemy is sup- 
posed to have been 150 killed and wounded. 

The Britisli wounded which were left in 
tke ditch hi/ their friends, were relieved by 
Major Croghan, who passed water to them 
over the picketing, and opened a way through 
which such as chose crept into the fort, where 
every thing was done to relieve them. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 211 

Early the following morning, the English 
and Indians retreated in the utmost disorder.* 
The officers under Croghan in this gallant 
action, were Captain Hunter, Ensigns Shipp 
and Duncan, Lieutenants Johnson and Bay- 
lor of the 17th, Anthony and Anderson of 
the 24, and Meeks of the 7th. 

As soon as the intelligence of the splendid 
triumph of young Croghan was made known, 
Harrison was most violently assailed and 
denounced by the opposers of Madison's ad- 
ministration. When the newspapers contain- 
ing this abuse reached the camp, the officers 
and privates were indignant at the outrage 
upon their commander. Those highest in 
rank immediately drew up a paper,! which 
was sent to the interior and published, in 
which they assert, that General Harrison's 
measures were " dictated by military wisdom, 
anil by a due regard to our own circumstances 
and to the situation of the enemy." 

The gallant Croghan, not content with 

* It will not b,. among the least of General Proctor's mortifica- 
tions, to find that he has been baffled by a youth who has just 
passed his twenty-first yea.T.— General Harrison's Official Report. 

t This paper will be found in our Appendix. It is dated, 
•' Lower Seneca Town, Au^. 19, l&iS," not three week* after 
the actioiw 



212 LIFE AND TIMES 

having signed the paper with the others, and 
disdaining to receive any credit at the ex- 
pense of a general he loved for his wisdom 
and valor, published a card under his own 
name,* which at once silenced all the clamor 
among those who thought for themselves upon 
the subject. In this card lie used these words: 
— *' The measures recently adopted by him, 
(General Harrison,) so far from deserving 
censure, are the clearest proofs of his keen 
penetration and able generalship." 

When the reasons could be explained, it 
was found to be as Croghan had stated, and 
fresh proof was added to volumes already 
given, of the courage, care, and penetration 
of General Harrison. While these operations 
were going forward, tlie General had kept 
the main point constantly in view, and devo- 
ted every spare moment to preparations for 
the invasion of Canada. Commodore Perry 
had been directed to co-operate with him. 
The mounted regiment of Colonel Johnson, 
which had returned home, was recalled to the 
frontier. Governor Meigs exerted himself to 
bring the sturdy Ohians forward, and Gov- 



See Appendix. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 213 

€rnor Shelby, of Kentucky, resolved to lead 
liiniself a fresih band from his own state. This 
was done at the invitation of General Harri- 
son, who now found himself ready to make 
a demonstration upon the territory of the 
€nemy« 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

The armament of the fleets— Manning of the American vessels- 
Perry's orders— Order of battle— Position of the Niagara— Per= 
ry's courage— Surrender of the English fleet. 

Perry had built at Erie, from the stump, 
six vessels, and repaired four others. Those 
built were, the Lawrence, of '/)0 guns, two long 
12s, and eighteen 24 pound carronades ; the 
Niagara, of the same armament; the schooner 
Ariel, 4 guns, 18s and 24s ; the schooner Scor- 
pion, 2 guns, 32s ; the schooners Porcupine 
and Tigress, each one 32. Those repaired, 
the Caledonia, 3 guns 24s and 32s ; the So- 
mers, two 32s ; the Trippe and Ohio, one 32 
each. 

The British liad six vessels at Maiden, the 
sloop Little Belt, 3 ; the ship Detroit, 19; the 
brig Hunter, 10; ship Queen Charlotte, 17; 
schooner Ltidy Provost, 15 guns ; and the 
Chippewa, 1 gun and 2 swivels. 



214 LIFE AND TIMES 

The British vessels were all stout built, of 
solid oak, but ours wai-e hastily put together, 
and only intended to carry guns and men. 
The Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, Ariel, 
and Scorpion, were good sailers — the rest 
were dull. Early in August, the heavier ves 
sels were taken over the bar at the mouth of 
the river on the backs of camels, and in full 
sight of the enemy's fleet which lay off the 
harbor, and witnessed the whole operation. 
"These camels were long, broad, deep boxes, 
made of planks like scows, and perfectly wa- 
ter-tight, with holes in them to fill and sink, 
and pumps to exhaust them of water, and 
raise them so as to float with their upper edge 
high above the surface. These, placed on 
each side, and connected by strong beams, 
on which the vessels being placed when they 
were sunk ; thus raised the vessels above the 
bar, when the camels were pumped out, and 
raised again by their own buoyancy."* 

When Commander Perry left Newport, he 
took with him 149 men and 3 boys, all of 
whom were volunteers. Many of these re- 



* " Battle of Lake Erie, by the Hon. Tristam Burges" The 
whole account of Perry's victory is compiled from Mr BurgeSy 
work. 



I 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 215 

mained at Sackett's Harbor, to serve under 
Commodore Chauncey. The guns of the 
fleet had been mounted in the batteries on 
shore. Tlie miUtia under General Mead, 
then encamped in the neighborhood, united 
with the seamen, and a great number from 
Harrison's army vohinteered for the sliips. 

General Harrison now saw the plan he 
had so long urged, in full success. The 
American fleet was upon the waters of Lake 
Erie, and under a commander in whom he 
had every confidence. At the earnest solicit 
ation of Perry, 100 men, under command of 
Captain Elliot, were sent from Ontario by 
Commodore Chauncey. Tliese men had all 
been in service on the Lakes, and they went 
now on board the Niagara, the command of 
which was given to Elliot. 

On the evening of the 9th of September, a 
council of war was held, at which the com- 
mand was, " Engage each your designated 
adversary, in close action, at half cablets 
length;'^'' and Perry then told his oflicers 
that he could not better advise them than in 
the words of Lord Nelson — "If you lay your 
enemy alongside, you cannot be out of your 
place." 



^ 216 LIFE AND TIMES 

This day had been appointed by the Prcsi* 
dent, at tlie request of Congress, a day of fast- 
ing, humiliation and prayer, and it was strictly 
observed by ail in the army and navy. 

In -the order of battle the Lawrence, Com- 
modore Perry's flag ships, of 20 guns, was 
opposed to the Detroit, 19 guns ; the Caledo- 
nia, Lieutenant Hunter, 3 guns, to the Hun- 
ter with 10 guns ; and the Niagara, Captain 
Elliot, 20 guns to the Queen Charlotte with 
17 guns. The remaining American vessels 
were commanded bv lieutenants, sailing mas- 
ters and midshipmen.* In the British fleet 
there were one commodore and three captains. 
At daylight on the 10th the enemy was dis- 
covered, and the signal was given to get un- 
der weigh. For some time the enemy had 
the wind, but it soon changed so that our fleet 
were at windward. The British drew up in 
line. The orders of the preceding night were 
passed from ship to ship. Perry hoisted his 
fighting flag with the words " Don't give up 
the ship," upon it, on the Lawrence. At the 
sight of it, all the crews gave three hearty 
cheers. Perry brought the Lawrence close 

* The Ohio was not in the action, having been previously sent 
down the Lake on othe;- service. 



r 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 217 

down upon the Detroit and went bravely to 
work. Lieutenant Hunter, brought up the 
Caledonia according to orders. 

" The Niagara," says Mr. Burges, '* was 
astern of the Lawrence, and the Caledonia 
abeam of the Queen Charlotte in the line of 
approach, when the action commenced. She, 
at first, discharged her first division ; but 
when their shot fell short of the Queen Char- 
lotte, Captain Elliot did not order the helm 
put up, and run down to within half cable's 
lengtli of his adversary, the Queen Charlotte, 
but directed his lieutenant to cease firing with 
the carronades, and J?re with his long tivelves 
only. The QueeH Charlotte had 20's to the 
Niagara's 24 pound carronades, but no long 
guns ; and therefore, as she could neither 
reach the Niagara with her carronades, nor 
run up against the wind, and lay her along- 
side, she packed all sail, and run down to the 
aid of the Detroit and laid the Lawrence and 
the Caledonia alongside athalf past 12 o'clock, 
]\j,'» * * * *' The Lawrence for two and 
a half hours sustained the fire of the Detroit, 
and for two hours, that of the Detroit, Queen 
Charlotte, and mosi of that of the Huwter; 
forty-four guns, with all the marines, -it half 
T 



218 i'lfE AND Tl..l^S 

musket shot." The dead h»y where they fell, 
until the action was over. Not a murmur was 
heard upon the deck of the Lawrence. Peruy 
was as cool as if on ordinary duty. " Why 
does not the Niagara come down and help 
us !" escaped from the wounded and dying. 
Perry worked with his own hands at the last 
gun, and when that was disabled, he had only 
his little brother, 14 men and himself, alive 
and unhurt on board the Lawrence. Fijidingf 
the Niagara did not come down, he exclaimed, 
" Lower the boat, and I will go and bring her 
down " 

Taking his fighting flag under his arm, he 
left the vessel under the command of Lieu- 
tenant Yaunall, saying, as the boat pushed 
olF — " I leave it to your discretion to strike or 
not; but the American colors must not be 
pulled down over my head to-day." Perry 
left the Lawrence at half past two, and at a 
quarter before three, he hoisted his fighting 
flag on board the Niagara, which vessel was 
uninjured and had not lost a man. Elliot 
was, at his own request, sent to bring up the 
gun-boats which were astern. The Lawrence 
struck and dropped astern, and Lieutenant 
TuBNER uow brought Up the Caledonia to fight 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 219 

the Detroit, taking ilie position abandoned by 
ihe Lawrence. Perrv was no sooner on tlie 
Ni(U»:ara, than he did bring her down. '* He 
broke through the enemy's line ; passed be- 
tween the Hunter and Detroit, at half pistol 
shot, tijjrty feet, frond each ; and from all hi» 
guns double shotted with round, grape can- 
ister, poured his broadsides into these devoted 
vessels. Rounding to, opposed to the taffrail 
of the Queen Charlotte, then, by her bow- 
sprit, entangled in the mizzen rigging of the 
Detroit, he began a raking fire, from end to 
end of both their decks/'* This ended the 
fight — the British vessels he had contended 
with struck at 10 minutes before 3 — the rest a 
few minutes after. The loss in the American 
neet ; — in the Lawrence, 22 killed, 61 wound- 
ed ; Niagara, 2 killed, 25 wounded ; Caledo- 
nia, 3 wounded; Somers, 2 do.; Ariel, 1 
killed, three wounded ; Trippe, 2 wounded, 
and in the Scorpion, 2 killed.t The British 
lost 41 killed, and 94 wounded. 

The killed were buried side by side at Erie, 



* Tristam Bjirges. 

*• Letter of £)r. Usher Parsons, who was surgeon's mate in the 
American fleet, and had charge of all the wounded, to Dr. C. Q. 
Perry, son of Commo«'ore Perry. 



220 LIFE AND TIMES 

lamented by the tears of friends and foes, and 
the music and cannon of both fleets. Tlie Bri- 
tish commodore in his account says, *' Cap- 
tain Perry has behaved in the most humane 
and attentive manner, not only to myself and 
officers, but to ail the wounded." 

Perry wrote to General Harrison: — "We 
have met the enemy, and they are ours." To 
the Secretary of the Navy, " It has pleased 
the Almighty to give to the arms of the Uni- 
ted States a signal victory over their enemies 
on this lake. The British squadron consist- 
ing of two ships, two brigs, one schooner and 
one sloop, have this moment surrendered to 
the force under my command, after a sharp 
conflict." 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

Embarcation of the troops— Order of Battle— Battle of the 
Thames-Gallant charge of ColonelJohiison— Military skill of 
Oeneral Harrison-Death of Tecumthe—Capture of the Bri- 
lish army— End of the war in Upper Canada. 

Colonel Johnson was again upon the fron- 
tier with his mounted Kentuckians.* General 
McArtiiur was at Fort Meiijs, reducinir the 
area of the works and making preparations to 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 221 

ship the heavy artillery and a part of the 
stores. Tliirty wajjons and a number of pack- 
horsea arrived by the 1st of September, which 
were used for the transportations. Governor 
Shelby soon arrived with a strong body of 
men, who were divided into eleven regiments. 
His aids were, General Adair and John J. 
Crittenden. Esquire. 

General Harrison was now determined to 
push the war into the enemy's territory. The 
artillery, stores and provisions were embarked 
on the IGth. The term of service for the Ken- 
tuckians under General Clay having expired, 
they solicited and obtained permission to re- 
main and accompany the expedition. Tliey 
now proceeded with the stores. On the 20tl>, 
General Harrison embarked with the regu- 
lar troops under Cass and McArthur. Be- 
tween tliat and the •24th tiie remainder of the 
army followed to the place of rendezvous, at 
Put-in-Bay. Harrison sailed with Perry, to 
reconnoitre Maiden, in the Ariel, on the 26th. 
Immediately on his return he issued a minute 
order of debarkation, march and battle. The 
next day the army landed, the commander- 
in-chief having first issued among the troops 
the following address : 



222 LIFE AND TIMES 

" Head Quarters, on board the Ariel, ) 
" September 27, 1813. ] 

** General Order.* — The General entreats 
Ins brave troops to remember that they are 
sons of sires whose fame is immortal. That 
ihey are to fis^ht for the rights of their insulted 
country, whilst their opponents combat for the 
unjust pretensions of a master. Kentuch- 
ians^ — remember the River Raisin! but re- 
member it only wliilst the victory is suspended. 
Tlie revenge of a soldier cannot be gratified 
upon a fallen enemy." 

The army landed,tbut Perry's victory and 
the advance of General Harrison had cooled 
General Proctor so much, that burning the 
fort and navy -yard, he fled. The army en- 
camped on the ruins of Maiden, and Harri 
SON wrote to the War Department, that he 
should pursue the enemy the following day, 
thouglj he had, he said, little hope of " overtak- 
ing him, as he has 1000 liorses, and we have 

* This order was publisbed in Niles' Register, of October 30, 
IS13, with the following heading. 

" Glorious Harrison -The following- general order, issued on 
the day of the debarkation of onr troops in Canada, is one of the 
*• unlfindest ruts'' the " bulwark of our religion," (England. So 
called by those who oppose the war) ever received, if there re- 
mains one particle of shame in her system." 

t Commodore Perry landed with Harrison, and acted as his vol- 
tmteeraid at the battle of the Thames. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 223 

not one inllie army." The inhabitants hid 
their property and fled, supposing that a ban- 
ditti had come among them. Governor 
Shelby issued an order to the Kentucky vol- 
unteers, requiring the inhabitants to be treat- 
ed with justice and humanity, and that pro- 
perty should not be wantonly injured. Har- 
rison called his general officers together on 
the first of October and told them he had de 
termined to pursue the enemy.* 

October 5th, the enemy was overtaken 
Proctor had chosen an excellent position— 
his left flanked by the river Thames, and his 
right by a swamp. Still further to the right, 
Tecumthe was posted with his Indians. The 

* He informed them that there were but two ways of doing it — 
one of which was, to follow him up the strait by land — the other 
to embark and sail down Lake Erie to Long Point, then march 
hastily across by land twelve miles to the road, and intercept 
him. " But the Governor thinks, and so do I, that the best way 
■will be to pursue the enemy up the strait, by land." The gen 
eral officers unanimously concurred in the same opinion, together 
with General Adair, first aid to '•he Governor, who had been in- 
vited to the council. I have been thus particular in stating the 
facts relative to the determination to pursue the enemy, because 
it has been reported and believed that General Harrison never 
Xvould have pursued farther than Sandwich, had it not been for 
Governor Shelby — McAfee. 

The fact is, there never wai any difference of opinion between 
them, either as to the pr *v of the pursuit, or tbe manner of 
peiforming it.— Jvig* 



224 LIFE AND TIMES 

American army was drawn up; tlie flanks 
and rear most strongly secured against the In- 
dians. At tliis moment Colonel Wood re- 
ported to the commander-in-chief that the 
regular infantry of the enemy, was formed in 
open order. Judge Hall thinks tliat Proc- 
tor iiad heard that this mode of formation 
was practised hy us in fighting tlie Indians, 
and that he had misapplied the principle. Be 
that as it may, Proctor had committed a 
woeful error, which the wisdom and military 
experience of General Harrison at once told 
him he could turn to our advantage. Troops 
in open order, that is, with intervals of three 
or four feet between the files, can never resist 
a charge of cavalry. Harrison instantly or- 
dered Colonel Johnson to dash through the 
enemy's line with his mounted men, in 
column. 

The command was brilliantly executed. 
The mounted men charged impetuously 
through the enemy's ranks — formed in their 
rear and attacked their broken line. The 
British threw down their arms, and an almost 
bloodless victory was obtained by the ease with 
which General Harrison manoeuvred his 
army, and the rapidity with which he took 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 225 

advantage of the errors of tlie enemy. The 
Indians behaved much belter — they rushed 
upon the mounted men in the fiercest despera- 
tion. Tecumthe pressed eagerly into the 
heart of the contest, encouraging his warriors 
with his voice, and throwing his tomahawk in 
deadly fury. Suddenly the cry of command 
whicii had urged them on, was hushed. The 
haughty chief had fallen.* His men now 
fled, leaving thirty three dead on the field, 
most of whom were found near Tecumthe. 
He was killed in that part of the line, where 
Colonel Johnson was wounded, and by some 
it is supposed that he fell by the hand of the 
Colonel himself. 

Thus ended the battle. The whole army 



" The grave in which Tecumseh's remains were deposited by 
the Indians after the return of the American army, is still visible 
near the borders of a willow marsh, on the north line of the battle- 
ground, with a large fallen oak-tree lying beside. The willow 
and wild rose are thick around it, but the mound itself is cleared 
of shrubbery, and is said to owe its good condition to the occa- 
sional visits of his country men. — Western Paper. 

Thus repose, in solitude and silence, the ashes of the Indian 
Bonaparte. In truth have they 

" Left him alone in his glory." 

Thatcher^s Indian Biography. 

The British government granted a pension to his widow and 
family. The Prophet was supplied in like manner until his 
death, which took place a few years smce. 



226 LIFE AND TIMES 

of llie enemy was cnptured, except a few that 
galloped off with General Proctor. He had 
promised to deliver Harrison and liis men 
when taken, to tlie tomaliawk and scalping 
knife. He now trembled for the fate of his 
own worthless person should he fall into the 
hands of the Americans. 

The Joss of the British was 18 killed and 
26 wounded. Prisoners taken, 600. Our loss 
was about the same in killed and wounded. 
Our army numbered less than 2,500, nearly- 
all of whom were militia. The enemy had 
845 regulars and 2,000 Indians in the field. 

This brilliant victory* following so close 
upon Perry's glorious battle, closed the war 
in that quarter, and rescued the whole north- 
western frontier from the barbarities of the 
savages. There was a general rejoicing 
throughout the country, and even the enemies 
of Harrison now openly acknowledged that 
he was a truly great man, 

* The victory of Harrison was such as would have secured to 
a Roman General, in the best days of the republic, the honors of 
a triumph. He put an end to the war in the uppermost Canada.— 
T/ie Honorable Langdon Cheves. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 22" 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Kentucky Volunteers disbanded — Harrison goes to Sackett's 
Harbor-Public rejoicings— Opinion of Simon Snyder— Demo- 
cratic meeting at Harrovvgate- Harrison's resignation— Perry's 
opinion of Harrison— Same by General McArthur. 

All the artillery and military stores of the 
British army fell into the hands of the Ameri- 
can troops. Amonif the former were three 
beautiful brass field pieces, which had been 
taken during the revolutionary war, and which 
were recovered by the English at the dastardly 
surrender of General Hull. During the pur- 
suit of Proctor all Harrison's baggage was 
carried in a valise, and his bed was a single 
blanket fastened over his saddle. This last 
lie gave to Colonel Evans, a wounded British 
officer. On the night after the battle of the 
Thames, he invited thirty-five British officers 
(prisoners of war,) to sup with, and all he had 
to place before them was fresh roast beef, 
without either bread or salt. This was the 
fare of the army, and he would never have 
better food than his soldiers. 

On the return of the troops, the Kentucky 
volunteers were clismissed at Detroit, and the 
British Indians sent lo General Harrison, to 



1228 LIFE AND TIMES 

ask for peace. An armistice was granted, 
tliat tlie general government might have time 
to consider the terms. 

On the 22d of October, General Harrison 
and suite, and Commodore Perry, arrived at 
Erie, in tlie Ariel, from Detroit. They were 
received by the inhabitants with rapture — 
with the thunder of cannon, illuminations, 
and every demonstration of joy as the de- 
liverers of the frontier. Perry went to New- 
port, Rhode Island. General Harrison, with 
about 1,500 troops went on the next day, and 
reached Black Rock on the 24th. Commo- 
dore Barclay, the commander of the late 
English fleet, accompanied Harrison and 
Perry.* On Harrison's arrival at Fort 
Niagara, preparatiwis were making for an 
expedition against Burlington Heights. These 
were arrested by an order from the Secretary 
of War, who was then upon the frontier, for 
Harrison to bring his troops to Sackett's 
Harbor. At the latter place he left his men 
and proceeded forthwith to Washington, by 
the way of New York and Philadelphia. The 
account of the victory of the Thames had 
preceded the hero, and he was met with pub- 

• Nil»"s R.g-ister, Vol. V. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 229 

lie rejoicings and hearty congratulations in 
every town on his route. From Niles's Reg- 
ister of November, 1813, we make the follow- 
ing extract : — 

*' Harrison's Victory. — There was a gene- 
ral illumination in Philadelphia on the even- 
ing of the 27th ult., by recommendation of 
the mayor, such expressions of joy being pro- 
hibited by law, without his permission. Many 
of the public buildings in New York were 
illuminated in great style. The bells were 
rung and salutes from all the forts, from the 
navy yard and the flotilla. Such demonstra- 
tions of joy have been exhibited in almost 
every town and village we have heard from." 

Again, in the same volume, Niles says : — 

* Harrison's victory h.'is been celebrated in 
Washington, Alexandria, Wilmington, (Del.) 
Philadelphia, and New York, by brilliant illu- 
minations. In the latter, by recommendation 
of the constituted authorities^ * * * 

" From St. Louis, we have satisfactory ac- 
counts of the measures that have been taken 
to meet and punish the Indians in that quar- 
ter. But it is probable that Harrison's vic- 
tory has given peace to all the western country. 
The news of it will fly like wild fire among 
U 



230 LIFE AND TIMES 

the savage tribes, and point out the necessity 
of submission" 

The author perfectly remennbers the illu- 
mination in Philadelphia. The people were 
then all hurrahing for the Hero of the 
Thames, (though he had not yet reached that 
city,) except a few tories who were opposed 
to the war and would have cheerfully given 
back the whole country to the yoke of Great 
Britain. A crowd paraded the streets on the 
night of the celebration, and the windows of 
almost every tenanted house were brilliantly 
lighted. Bands of music, accompanied the 
immense concourse, and appropriate national 
airs were performed. Tlie houses of a few 
well known tories were visited by the patriotic 
assemblage, and three awful groans given be- 
fore the door of each, while the musicians 
played the Dead March to some, and the 
Rogue's March to others. 

The excellent Simon Snyder, then gover- 
nor of Pennsylvania, in his message to the 
Legislature at the following session, (Decem- 
ber 10th, 1813,) used the following lan- 
guage :— 

*' The blessings of thousands of women and 
children, rescued from the scalping knife of 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 231 

the ruthless savage of the wilderness, and 
from the still more savage Proctor, rest on 
Harrison and his gallant army."* 

These are but a few of the notices of the 
victory. The papers of the day were filled 
with compliments to the hero, and we might 
occupy a much larger book than this, before 
we could give one half of the applause gen- 
erously heaped upon his head at the time, and 
for years after. Before this, it was well known 
that Harrison would never abandon a battle 
until victory crowned his efforts. When it 
was understood that he was about to invade 
Canada, the whole country rang with the 
tidings, and all felt convinced that he would 
conquer. There expectations were fully real- 
ized. 

Among the proceedings of a celebration of 
the Fourth of July, in 1813, held at Harrow- 
gate near Frankford, Philadelphia county, 
(Penn.)by the "Democratic Young Men," the 
following regular toast will be found. The 
President of the dinner was the staunch old 
democrat Jonathan B. Smith, Esq. : and 
Dr. Joel B. Sutherland was the Secretary. 
The Dr. likewise delivered the oration in the 

* Pennsylvania Legislati ve Documents. 



232 LIFE AND TIMES 

morning at the Uiiiversalist Cliurch in Lom- 
bard street. It will be borne in mind that this 
toast was drank before General Harrison 
gained the victoiy of the Thames : — 

•' General William Henry Harrison — 
the Washington of the West — we look for- 
ward to liis speedily avenging the barbarities 
of Tecumthe and his inhuman allies the Bri- 
tish," 1 gun 9 cheers.* 

The reader has already seen how soon this 
prophetic sentiment was realized. The toast 
had scarcely travelled to the frontier, when 
Harrison had taken the whole British army, 
and the hostile Indians were bending at his 
feet, suing for peace. 

When General Harrison reached Wash- 
ington, he was urged by the President to has 
ten to Cincinnati, to superintend measures 
then in anticipation. At this time, General 
John Armstrong was Secretary of War 
He was notorious for his attempts to stir up a 
mutiny in the army of the revolution, in 1783, 
when it wais about to be disbanded. From 
some prejudice conceived against him, in the 
plan of the campaign of 1814, submitted to 

* The whole proceedings- may be found in the Weekly Auror* 

published in Philadelphia, in 1813. 



r 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 233 

the President by the Secretary, General Har- 
rison was confined to the command of tlie 
8th mihtary district, which included only the 
western states. " A major general who was 
in the prime of life — who had fought with 
reputation under Wayne — who had signa- 
lized his name and character in the memorable 
and well contested events at Tippecanoe and 
Fort Meigs ; and who had, by a bloodless 
victory on the Thames, achieved by the sug- 
gestions of his masterly genius, given peace 
to a widely extended frontier ; restored an im- 
portant territory to our government, and ac- 
quired possession of the greater portion of 
Upper Canada, was thus directed to remain 
in a district at no one point of which was 
there more than a regiment stationed." * * 
"In the meantime the Secretary had ven- 
tured on the very indelicate and outrageous 
proceeding of not only designating a subor- 
dinate officer for a particular service, within 
the district, but of transmitting the order di- 
rectly to him to take a certain portion of the 
troops, without consulting the commanding 
officer of the immediate post or district. His 
order of the 25th of April to Major Holmes, 
was not less insulting to the commanding gea» 



234 LIFE AND TIMES 

eraljthan it was conducive to every species of 
insubordination. The command of a major 
general was not even nominal, if a secretary, 
at a distance of one thousand miles, were 
permitted thus to interfere in the internal con- 
cerns of his district. 

" This course was evidently intended as a 
source of mortification to General Harrison, 
when contrasted with the unlimited powers 
confided to him in the campaigns of 1812-13. 
On the receipt, therefore, of the notification 
from the War Department, of the order of 
the 25th of April, General Harrison instantly 
addressed a letter of resignation to the Secre- 
tary, and a notification of it to the President, 
As soon as Governor Shelby heard of the 
resignation of General Harrison, he lost no 
time in addressing the President in his Jtsual 
forcible terms, to prevent his acceptance of 
it ; but unfortunately for the public interest 
the President was on a visit to Virginia, to 
which place the letters from General Harri- 
son and Governor Shelby were forwarded, 
and that of the latter was not received until 
after Secretary Armstrong, ?/?i7Aom< the pre- 
vious consent of the President^ had assumed 
to himself the high prerogative of accepting 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRiSON. 235 

the resignation. The President expressed his 
great regret that the letter of Governor Shel- 
by had not been received earlier, as in that 
case the valuable services of General Harri- 
son would have been preserved to the nation 
in the ensuing campaign."* 

In 1813, Commodore Perry wrote to Gen- 
eral Harrison — *' You know what has been 
my opinion as to the future Commander-in- 
chief of the army. I pride myself not a lit- 
tle, I assure you, on seeing my predictions so 
near being verified ; yes, my dear friend, I 
expect to hail you as the chief who is to re- 
deem the honor of our arms in the North." 

At a skirmish with the It)dians at Chatham, 
before the battle of the Thames, Perry re- 
monstrated with Haruison upon his exposure, 
when the latter replied, that '* it was necessary 
that a general should set an example." 

In 1814, General Mc Arthur wrote to Gen- 
eral Harrison ; — " You, sir, stand the highest 
with the militia of this state of any general 
in the service, and I am confident that no man 
can fiijht them to so "-reatan advantajre : and 
I think their extreme solicitude may be the 
means of calling you to this frontier" 

* Dawson's Life of Haxr:3cr*. 



236 LIFE AND TIMES 

On being asked how he gained the control 
and confidence of the militia, he replied — 
*' By treating them with affection and kindness 
— by always recollecting tiiat they were my 
fellow-citizens, whose feelings I was bound to 
respect, and by sharing on every occasion the 
hardships which they were obliged to un- 
dergo." 

Here ended General Harrison's brilliant 
and glorious military career. For nearly 
a quarter of a century he had been a promi- 
nent actor in the battles of his country — had 
lead his countrymen through every danger, 
and in the language of the present Vice Pres- 
ident of the United States, •* had never sus- 
tained a defeat." When he could no longer 
serve his country in the field, he gave up his 
command and retired to private life.* 

* If General Harrison had not been a disinterested and high- 
minded man— if he could have sacrificed his sense of duty to 
pecuniary considerations, he might have remained with his 
family, enjoying his high rank, and its emoluments, and reposing 
upon his laurels ; but he disdained command, or the reception of 
pay for services which he was not permitted to perform, and 
cheerfully retired to private life when he could no longer be u»« 
ful in the &eld.— Judge Hall. 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 237 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

H!\'"nson elected to Congress —Vote of thanks and a gold medal 
presented — Opinion of Colonel Johnson— Harrison's militia bilL 

In 1814, General Harrison was appointed, 
with Governor Shelby and General Cass, to 
treat with the western Indians ; and after the 
peace with Great Britain, 1815, he was placed 
at the head of anotlier commission, associated 
wiih General Mc Arthur and the Hon. John 
Graham. Under both these appointments, 
satisfactory treaties were concluded — the for- 
mer at Greenville, and the latter at Detroit. 

In 1816, he was elected to fill a vacancy 
in the House of Representatives in Con«jress, 
occasioned by the resignation of the Hon. 
John McLean, and also for two years suc- 
ceeding. There were six candidates, and he re- 
ceived one thousand majority overall. At this 
session, a resolution was introduced, present - 
inir the thanks of Congress, and directing med- 
als to be struck, to be given to General Harrison 
and Governor Shelby. When the resolution 
came before the Senate, Mr. Lacock moved to 
strike out the name of General Harrison, and 
the motion was carried — -Yeas 13, Nays 11.* 

' * Niles' Register. 



238 LIFE AND TIMES 

About the same time, one of the contractors 
of the army, whose profits had been dimin- 
ished by the integrity of Harrison, charged 
him with improper conduct while command- 
ing the army. The General demanded an in- 
vestigation, and it was while this was pending 
that Mr. Lacock made the ungenerous mo- 
tion, which gave a blow to the intrepid hero 
most unjust, and which lie felt to be unmerited. 
Yet, disgraceful as was this procedure, in his 
own words, *' his respect for Congress would 
not permit him to impugn its motives."* 
This magnanimity under such stinging cir- 
cumstances cannot be too highly extolled. 
But we must let facts speak for themselves, 
and when we have given them, we shall leave 
the reader to make up his own mind who was 
honored and applauded, and who disgraced 
and contemned. The following is extracted 
from the Journal of the House of Represen- 
tatives, Thursday, January 23, 1817 : — 

* General Harrison, in a letter upon the snbject of Mr. Lacock's 
motion, dated July 16, 1816, used the foUovving language :—•' A 
vote of the Senate of the United States lias attached to my 
name a disgi-ace which I am fully convinced no time or no effort 
of mine will ever be able to efface. Their censure is indeed ne- 
gative, but it is not on that account the less severe. Could a 
vote positively expressing my unworthiness, attach to me mora 
obliquy than one which declares that I am the only man of tha 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARIIISON. 239 

" Mr. Johnson of Kentucky,* from the com- 
mittee to which was referred the letter and re- 
port of the acting Secretary of War, on the 
application of General William H. Harri- 
son respecting his expenditures of public 
money while commanding the north-western 
army, made a report thereon, stating that the 
committee are unanimously of opinion that 
General Harrison stands above suspicion as 
to his having had any pecuniary or improper 
connexion with the officers of the commissa- 
riat for the supply of his army ; that he did 
not wantonly or improperly interfere with the 

army which I commanded, who did not deserve the thanks of the 
nation. Could anything but cowardice or treason justify this ex 
cessive rigor I — and yet it is not pretended that I am gTiilty of 
either. What then is my crime, and what the reasons upon 
•which the vote of the Senate was justified .' Why aninvestiga 
tion before the House of Representatives was pending, solicited 
by myself and some one or more persons, had impressed every 
member of Congress to whom I was unknown, with the belief 
that I deserved no merit for the success of the compaign, and that 
I was forced against my inclination to pursue the British army. 
My respect for the first branch of the Legislature of my country, 
will not permit me to impugn its motives. I am bound to believe 
that the majority at least acted from correct principles ; but on a 
subject so important to an individual ; upon a vote which was to 
attach disgrace to his character, which will follow him to his 
grave, and which will cause the blush to raise upon the cheek 
of Ms children, should they not have paused ?" 

* Colonel Richzu-d M. Johnson, who was chairman of the com- 
mittee appointed at the request of General Harrison, to in^testi 
gate the charge against hini. 



240 LIFE AND TIMES 

rights of the contractors ; and that in his 
whole conduct, as the commander of the said 
army, he was governed by a hiudable zeal for 
and devotion to, the public service and inter- 
est; which said report was read and con 
sidered. 

Colonel Johnson again stated that General 
Harrison "stood above suspicion, and was in 
his measures governed by a proper zeid and 
devotion to the public interest.'* Mr. Hul- 
BERT, also on the committee, stated, that he 
had been prejudiced against General Harri- 
son, but that the investigation had satisfied 
him that the accusation was false and cruel. 
*'In a word," said Mr. H., " I feel myself au- 
thorized to say, that every member of the 
committee is fully satisfied, that the conduct 
of General Harrison, in relation to the sub- 
ject matter of this inquiry, has been that of a 
brave, honest, and honorable man ; and that, 
instead of deserving censure, he merits the 
thanks and applause of his coutitry." 

On the 24th of March, 1818, Mr. Dick- 
ERsoN brought the subject again before the 
Senate. In his introductory remarks, the 
mover said, there was an objection to a sim- 
ilar resolution offered two years before, and that 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 241 

was, the investigation then pending before the 
House. Nothing couki be done until the com- 
mittee of investigation had reported, and no 
report was made until the 23d of January, 
1817. The session terminating soon after, 
left no opportunity for the passage of the 
resolution. Mr. Dickerson then offered the 
following : — 

" Resolved by the Senate and House of 
Representatives of the United States of Ame- 
rica, in Congress assembled. That the thanks 
of Congress be, and they are hereby, present 
ed to Major General William Henry Har- 
rison and Isaac Shelby, late Governor of 
Kentucky, and through them to the officers 
and men under their command, for their gal- 
lantry and good conduct in defeating the 
combined British and Indian forces under 
Major General Proctor, on the Thames, in 
Upper Canada, on the 5th of October, 1813, 
capturing the British army with the baggage, 
camp equipage and artillery ; and that the 
President of the United States be requested to 
cause two gold medals to be struck, emblema- 
tical of this triumph, and presented to General 
Harrison and Isaac Shelby, late Governor 
of Kentucky." 



242 LIFE AND TIMES 

Mr. Dickerson then spoke at some length 
upon the subject. One objection to the pas- 
sage of the first resolution in 1816, was, that 
it was charged that Harrison would not have 
followed Proctor had it not been for Gov- 
ernor Shelby. In alluding to this, Mr. Dick- 
erson said: — "Shelby, generous as he is 
brave, disclaims this exclusive merit, and in 
a letter, which I beg leave to read, denies, 
in the most positive terms, having used the 
Innguage ascribed to him : and he gives to 
General Harrison the highest praise for his 
promptitude and vigilance in pursuing Proc- 
tor ; for the skill with which he arranged his 
troops for meeting the enemy, and for his dis- 
tinguished bravery during the battle. 

"He states that the duties of General Har- 
rison, as Commander-in-chief of the north- 
western army, were in the highest degree 
arduous; and that such was the zeal and 
fidelity with which they were performed, they 
coi^tld not have been committed to better 
hands. Of these particulars no one could 
know better: no one would judge better than 
Governor Shelby. I have many other docu- 
ments and papers to show that Governor 
Shelby was not mistaken in the statemeuta 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 243 

he has made, and which I will read, if any 
doubt sliould be expressed upon this subject. 
t trust, however, that no such doubt will be 
entertained, and am confident that lionorable 
gentlemen will feel a pleasure in awarding to 
General Harrison that testimony of applause, 
which a sense of duty induced them formerly 
to withhold.'* 

The resolution passed the Senate unani- 
mously on the 30th of March, and the same 
day went through three readings in the House, 
and passed, with only one dissentient voice.* 

General Harrison had gained his battles 
by the militia, and his own skill in training 
and manoeuvring them. The adoption of an 
efficient rnilitia system was one object which 
induced him to accept the nomination for 
Congress. Another was the relief of the sol 
diers who served in the two wars. He soon 
reported a militia bill and an explanatory re 
port.t The plan was highly approved by 

* See Journals of the Senate and House of Representatives 
for 1S18. 

t The plan proposed in the Report, and supported by Mr. H., 
was lliat of the ancient republics, which mingled military in- 
struction with the ordinary education of youth, commencing 
•with tlie elementary military duties at the primary schools, and 
ending with the higher tactics at the colleges. The expense 
M'as to be borne by the United States ; but to obviate the obje*> 



244 LIFE AND TIMES 

Mr. Monroe and Mr. Crawford. The lat- 
ter, doubling the constitutionality of such a 
system, drew up an amendment to the con- 
stitution to embrace it ; but, having just fin- 
ished a war, tiie members were tired of mili- 
tary details, and refused to adopt a plan 
which would have silenced all disputes about 
situations in the military college, and by 
which the children of the rich and poor would 
have received the same education. The Gen- 
eral supported his bill with a L^peech, and Mk. 
Williams, of North Carolina, afterward said, 
in alluding to it, " The gentleman from Ohio 
has depicted the dangers of a standing army 
to a government like ours, in a strain of elo- 
quence such as has rarely been witnessed in 
this House." 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

General Harrison in Congress— In the Senate of Ohio— Censure 
lor his vote upon the bill for the punishment of criminals — His 
letter on the subject. 

In 1818, General Harrison introduced in 
the House a resolution in honor of the memo- 

tion of the increase of patronage which it would give to tho 
general government, the instructors were to be appointed by 
the states respectively.— /wrf^e Hall 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 245 

ry of Kosciusko, and made a classic and 
touchino^ speech. lie was an ardent advocate 
for the acknowledgment of the independence 
of the South American republic. Upon the 
resolution to censure General Jackson for his 
conduct during the Seminole war, General 
Harrison delivered an eloquent address to 
the House. While he disapproved of one act, 
he applauded the patriotism of the hero of 
New Orleans, and gave him full and open 
credit for his many good deeds.* 

In 1819, General Harrison was elected a 
member of the Senate of Oliio. Here he 
served two years, devoting all the energies of 

* General Harrison concluded his remarks, thus— '' If the resolu- 
tions pass, I would address him" (General Jackson) " thus : 'In 
the performance of a sacred duty imposed by their construction 
of the constitution, the representatives of the people have found 
it necessary to disapprove a single act of your brilliant career; 
they have dor^e it in the full conviction that the hero who has 
guarded her rights in the field, will bow with reverence to the 
civil institutions of his country — that he has admitted as his 
creed, that the character of the soldier can never be complete 
without eternal reference to the character of the citizen. Your 
country has done for you all that a country can do for the most 
favored of her sons. The age of deification is past ; it was an 
age of tyranny and barbarism : the adoration of man should be 
addressed to his Creator alone. You have been feasted in the 
Pritanes of the cities. Your statue shall be placed in the capitol, 
and your name be found in the songs of the virgins. Go, gallant 
tliief, and bear with you the gratitude of your country. Go, under 
the full conviction, that as her glory is identified with yours, she 



246 LIFE AND TIMES 

liis gig-antic mind to his public duties ; and du- 
rin<if this time, as an elector fov president and 
vice-president, lie voted for James Monroe and 
Daniel D. Tompkins. He was subsequently 
chosen an elector, and voted for Henry Clay. 
During the time he was in the Senate of 
Ohio, a bill was introduced for the punish- 
ment of offences against the state. It con- 
tained a clause by which persons fined for 
criminal offences, were to be apprenticed to 
respectable citizens for sufficient sums to pay 
the fines. In this shape it passed the House 
almost unanimously. In the Senate a motion 
was made and carried to strike out the clause 
alluded to, and General Harrison, with 11 
other senators,* voted lo retain the clause, 

has nothing more dear to her but her laws, nothing more sacred 
but her constitution. Even an unintentional error shall be sanc- 
tified to her service. It will teach posterity that the government 
which could disapprove the conduct of a Marceilus, will have the 
fortitude to crush the vices of a Marius.' 

These sentiments, sir, lead to results in which all must units. 
General Jackson will still live in the hearts of his fellow-citizens, 
and the constitution of your country will be immortal." 

* Among those who voted for the law beside General HarrisDn, 
were Eli Baldwin, Esq., who was the administration candidate 
for the gubernatorial chair of Ohio, in 1836, and the Hon. Tiiomas 
Morris, one of the present administration senators from Ohio 
in Congress, and all the members of the Ohio House of Repre- 
sentatives from the county of Hamilton. See Journalt of IA« 
Senate «nd House of Representatives, (f OhiOt 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 247 

♦* as the most mild and human mode of deal- 
ing with the offenders for whose cases it was 
intended." In the Hamikon (Butler County, 
Oiiio) Intelligencer, of December 15th, 1821, 
a writer endeavored to misrepresent the vote 
of the minority of the Senate, and to lead the 
reader to imagine that persons imprisoned for 
mere debt, were to be treated as criminals, 
and so apprenticed. When the article in the 
Intelligencer fell undev the eye of General 
Harrison, he immediately wrote the following 
letter to the editor, and it appeared in his pa- 
per of December of 31st, 1821. 

"Sir: In your paper of the 15th instant, 
I observed a most violent attack upon eleven 
other members of the late Senate and myself, 
for a supposed vote given at the last session 
for the passage ot a law to ' sell debtors in 
certain cases.' If such had been our conduct 
I acknowledge that we should not only de- 
serve the censure which the writer has be- 
stowed on us, but the execration of every 
honest man in society. An act of that kind 
is not only opposed to the principles of justice 
and humanity, but would be a palpable viola- 
tion of the constitution of the State, which 



248 LIFE AND TIMES 

every legislator is sworn to support ; and 
sanctioned by a House of Representatives and 
12 Senators, it would indicate a state of de- 
pravity whicli would fill every patriotic bosom 
with the most alarming anticipations. But 
the fact is, that no siich proposition was ever 
made in tlie legislature or even thought of. 
The act to which the writer alludes has no 
mf)re relation to the collection of ' debts' than 
it has to the discovery of longitude. It was 
an act for the punishment of oflences against 
the State, and that part of which has so deeply 
wounded the feelings of your correspondent, 
was passed by the House of Representatives 
nnd voted for by the 12 senators under the im- 
pression that it was the most mild and human 
mode of dealing with the offenders for whose 
cases it was intended. It was adopted by 
the House of Representatives as a part of the 
general system of criminal law, which was 
then undergoing a comi)lete revision and 
amendment; the necessity of this is evinced 
by the following facts : — For several y«;ars 
past, it lund become apparent that the Peniten- 
tiary system was becoming more and more 
burdensome at every session ; a large appro- 
priation was called for to meet the excess of 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 249 

expenditure above the receipts of the establish- 
men't. Jn the commencement of the ses- 
sion of 1820, the deficit amounted to near 
$20,000. 

This growing evil required the immediate 
interposition of some vigorous legislative mea- 
sure ; two were recommended as being likely 
to produce the effect ; — first, placing the insti- 
tution under better management, and se- 
condly, lessening the number of convicts who 
were sentenced for short periods and whose 
labor was found of course to be most unpro- 
ductive. In pursuance of the latter principle, 
thefts to the amount of $50, or upwards, were 
subjected to punishment in the Penitentiary, 
instead of $10 which was the former mini- 
mun sum — this was easily done. But tlie 
great difficulty remained to determine what 
should be the punishment of those numerous 
larcenies below the sum of $50. By some, 
whipping was proposed, by others punishment 
by hard labor in the county jails, and by others 
it was thought best to make them work on the 
highways. 

To all these, there appeared insuperable ob- 
jections: fine and imprisonment was adopted 
by the House of Representatives as the only 



250 LIFE AND TIMES 

alternative, and as it was well known these 
vexatious pilferintjs were generally perpetrated 
by the most worthless vagabonds in society, 
it was added that when they could not pay the 
fines and costs which are always part of the 
sentence and punishment, that their services 
should be sold out to any person who would 
pay their fine and costs for them. This was 
the clause which was passed, as I believe, by 
a unanimous vote of the House, and stricken 
out in the Senate in opposition of the 12 who 
have been denominated. A little further trou- 
ble in examining the journals would have 
shown your correspondent that this was 
considered as a substitute for whipping, 
which was lost in the Senate, and in the 
House by a small majority, after being once 
passed. 

I think, Mr. Editor, I have said enough to 
show that this obnoxious law would not have 
applied to ' unfortunate debtors of 64 years,* 
but to infamous offenders, vvho depredate upon 
the property of their fellow-citizens, and who 
by the constitution of the State as well as the 
principle of existing laws, were subject to in- 
voluntary servitude. I must confess I had no, 
very sanguine expectations of beneficial ef- 



Ol* WILLIAM HENRY HARRfSON. 251 

feet from this measure, as it would apply to 
convicts who had attained the age of matu- 
rity. But I had supposed tliat a woman or a 
youth who, convicted of an offence, and re- 
mained in jail for the payment of the fine and 
costs imposed, might with great advantage be 
transferred to the residence of some decent, 
virtuous, private family, whose precept and 
example would gently lead them back to the 
paths of virtue. I would appeal to the 
candor of your correspondent to say whether 
if there were an individual confined under the 
circumstances I have mentioned, for whose 
fate he was interested, he would not gladly 
see him transferred, from the filthy inclosure 
of a jail, and the still more filthy inhabitants, 
to the comfortable mansion of some virtuous 
citizen, whose admonitions would check his 
vicious propensities and whose authority over 
him would be no more than is exercised over 
thousands o^ apprentices in our country; and 
those bound servants which are tolerated in 
our, as well as every other State in the Union. 
Far from advocating the abominable prin- 
ciples attributed to me by your correspondent, 
I think that imprisonment for debt, under any 
circumstances but that where fraud is alleged, 



253 LIFE AND TIMES 

is at war with the best principles of our con- 
stitution, and oujrht to be abolished. 
I am, Sir, your humble servant, 

WM. H. HARRISON. 
North Bend, 22d December, 1821. 



CHAPTER XX Vm. 

Tlie Missouri restriction— Harrison elected United States Sena 
tor-Public acts-Appointed Minister to Colombia— Treatment 
upon his recall— Is a Candidate for the Presidency in 1836— 
again noininated in 1839^ for the same office. 

In 1822, General Harrison was a candi- 
date for Congress, but lost his election in con, 
sequence of having voted ajjainst the Missouri 
restriction. In February, 1819, when he was 
a member of the House of Representatives, 
a law was passed authorizing the Missouri 
Territory to form a state constitution. 

General James Tallmadge, then a mem- 
ber from New York, moved the following 
amendment : — " Provided, that the further 
introduction of Slavery or involuntary ser- 
vitude be prohibited, (in the new state,) ex- 
cept for the punishment of crimes, whereof 
the party shall have been fully convicted." 
2d. " That all children born within said 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HAHRISON. 258 

State after the admission thereof into the 
Union, shall be free at the age of 25 years." 

" On these amendments," says Niles, " a 
long and spirited debate ensued. The south- 
ern and most of the western members warmly 
opposed these amendments, as having a 
direct tendency to break up the compact of 
the Union between the states, and destroy 
that provision in the federal constitution, 
which secures slave property to those states 
that choose to hold it. General Harrison 
voted against any restriction on the new state, 
but it was carried in the House, yeas 87, 
nays 78." 

The Senate struck out these respective 
clauses, and the convention of Missouri was 
left free and unshackled in the formation of 
the state constitution. The next year, when 
the state of Missouri applied for admission into 
the Union, as a slave state, the same restric- 
tion was again attempted, but finally, tlirough 
the matchless abilities and exertions of Henry 
Clay, she was admitted into the Union, free 
of restriction. 

It was the wish of General Harrison to 
leave the Missouri convention as free as the 
constitution of the United States would allow, 
W 



254 LIFE AND TIMES 

and to put no restrictions upon the new state 
which had not been placed on others. His 
vote was in accordance with his strict con- 
struction of the federal constitution, and his 
earnest desire to put Missouri on an equality 
with her older sisters of the Union. When he 
was defeated in 1822, the National Intelli- 
gencer, (Oct. 30, 1822,) used the following 
language : — 

" A friend informs us, which we are sorry 
to learn, that General Harrison was opposed, 
as a friend to the general government, but 
particularly on account of his adherence to 
that principle of the constitution which se- 
cures to the people of the south their preexist- 
ing right s^ 

In 1824, General Harrison was elected 
to the Senate of the United States, and, as 
chairman of the military committee,* intro- 
duced a bill to prevent desertion in the army. 
His plan was to raise the character of the of- 
ficers and to hold out inducements to soldiers 
to perform their duties. He likewise brought 
forward a bill to decrease the duty on salt, it- 
being a necessary of life. He supported the 
bill to confer cad et appointments, at West 
* In place of e«neral J&ckson, who had reugned 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 255 

Point, on the sons of those who had bravely 
fallen in their country's service. 

His exertions in favor of pensions to old 
soldiers vi^ill never be forgotten. With all his 
masterly powers he supported the bill intro- 
duced by the excellent Bloomfield, and 
which was the means of rescuing many a de- 
serving and brave man from want and ne- 
glect. 

In 1828, General Harrison was appointed 
minister plenipotentiary to the Republic of 
Colombia. He embarked immediately and 
arrived at Maracaybo, on the22d of Decem- 
ber, and thence proceeded to Bogota. He 
found every thing in confusion, and Bolivar 
much inclined to favor the military party 
which wished to confer upon him a dictator- 
ship. To this the more democratic of the 
people were strongly opposed, and they evewi 
ually succeeded in their views. The plain 
appearance and republican manners of the 
minister, led to his being suspected, by a 
people ever jealous, of favoring the demo- 
cratic party, and subjected him to many petty 
persecutions from the aristocracy, against 
which he gallantly sustained himself. One 
of Jackson's first acts upon taking the Presi- 



256 LIFE AND TIMES 

dential chair, was to recall General Harrison. 
Before bis return however, and after he had 
taken his leave as minister, he addressed a 
letter to the Colombian hero, as a personal 
friend. This document, replete with wisdom, 
goodness and patriotism, will be found in our 
appendix, and should be carefully read and 
studied. It breathes the purest principles and 
minutely describes the truly great man. 

In his recall he was treated with great rude- 
ness, though it does not appear that the gov- 
ernment was at fault. The sloop of war, 
Natchez sailed from New York, in June, 
1B29, and carried out his successor, and her 
commander, Captain Claxton, was ordered 
to stop at a certain port for the purpose of 
taking General Harrison on board.* He 
had been previously notified that the vessel 
would be at Carthagena at a certain time, and 
he was to hold himself in readiness to return 
by her. He waited at the port for a long 
time, but the sloop of war did not make her 
appearance, although at the Island of Cur- 
racoa, only 200 miles distant, the Captain had 
been informed that General Harrison was 
waiting at Carthagena with intense anxiety. 



* The Globe of 1836. 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 257 

and that he was in extremely bad health.* 
In consequence of negligence he was detained 
in a foreign country three months, subjected 
to expense, sickness and mortification. He 
returned in a private vessel, and, we under- 
stand, at his own expense. 

Upon ascertaining the facts, the then Secre- 
tary of the Navy, was willing and urgent to pur- 
sue the course of justice in the premises, but 
as General Harrison had been the only suf- 
ferer, he would not consent to it, and the Se- 
cretary yielded to his particular request to for- 
give and foi'get. In this manner has General 
Harrison always met the slights of those who 
could not appreciate the nobility of a heart 
devoted wholly to his country and his coun- 
try's good. 

He now retired to his farm at North Bend, 
and devoted himself to the cultivation of his 
property ; living in the plain style of our old 
republican farmers, and enjoying the truest 
happiness in the bosom of an affectionate 
wife, and the young and lovely smiles of his 
children. 

His farm on the Ohio river contains very 
superior corn ground, and some years since, 

* Washington Mirror. 

W* 



258 LIFE AND TIMES 

when corn was low, he established a distillery, 
in order to convert his surplus into an article 
more portable and profitable. He soon, how- 
ever, perceived the injurious effects resulting 
from such manufactories, and abolished his 
distillery ; thus setting a bright and useful ex- 
ample to those around him, sacrificing his 
own pecuniary interest to the good of the com- 
munity. In his address to the Hamilton 
County Agricultural Society, delivered June 
16, 1831, he alluded to this subject in a neat 
and feeling manner, concluding thus : — " I 
speak more freely of tiie practice of convert- 
ing the material of * the staff" of life' (and foi 
which so many human beings yearly perish) 
into an article which is so destructive of health 
and happiness, because in that way I have 
sinned myself ; hut in that way I shall sin 
no more.'''' 

In the same address, he drew the picture 
of a larmer in glowing and vivid colors. In 
the |X)rtraiture of a hero returning from the 
field of glory to the humble retirement of a 
farm, we see General Harrison conspicu- 
ously, though unconsciously shadowed forth. 
An extract embracing this sketch, may be 
found in the appendix. At this time, he was 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. $J^ 

Still at his plough, earning his daily bread by 
the sweat of his brow, nor was he visited by 
the politics of the country until in 1836, when 
he was taken up by a portion of the states 
and run in opposition to Martin Van Buren, 
for the Presidency. There were several can- 
didates in the field against the present execu- 
tive at the same time. At the east, Daniel 
Webster stood prominent ;^ — at the south, 
Judge White ; — in most of the middle and 
western states. General Harrison was the 
candiate. It can scarcely be said that there 
was any concentrated action among the op- 
position, nor was he taken up until within a 
few months of the election, and yet he re- 
ceived seventy-two electoral votes. 

On the 4th of December, 1839, a full 
National Whig Convention assembled at Har 
risburgh, Pennsylvania, and of tliat body, he 
received the unanimous vote when nominated 
as the candidate of tlie party for the Presi- 
dency. Some months previous to this, he had 
been nominated as the candidate of the anti 
masons, and in reply to the notification of the 
selection, he addressed a letter to the Hon, 
Harmer Denny, in which he expressed at 
length his views of the character and extent 



260 LIFE AND TIMES 

of the power vested by the constitution in the 
President. In his reply to the communica- 
tion of the committee of the convention of 
4th of December, he referred to this let- 
ter to Mr. Denny, and one also written to the 
Hon. Sherrod Williams. We have not 
room for these documents, but have made ex 
tracts from the former, which will be found in 
the appendix, and to which the attention 
of the reader is directed. We have still 
another object in selecting but one of his 
letters on this subject. We are writing a his- 
torical, and not apolitical book. We do not 
omit other letters because they have any elec- 
tioneering paragraphs, but that we may not, 
even in appearance, lean to the one side or 
the other. Our politics are known — we have 
made no secret of them, yet we disclaim all 
party prejudice in the present work. We 
speak of the public acts of General Harrison 
— of the great powers conferred on him by 
Jefferson, Adams and Madison. We have 
endeavored to exhibit without prejudice the 
manner in which he discharged all trusts re- 
posed in him, and feel confident that our 
work cannot be called political. 

He is nov*' before the people as a candidate 



OP WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 261 

for the Presidency, and this we record as 
history. 

For his views of what should be the conduct 
of the President of the United States, we 
again refer to the extracts from his letter to 
the Hon. Harmer Denny. He expressly 
says, that he thinks a President should not 
serve more than one term, and in his letter to 
the committee of the Harrisburgh Convention, 
repeats his declaration, that, should he be 
elected, he would *' under no circumstances 
consent to be a candidate for a second term." 

The opinions and deeds of every candidate 
for so important an office as that of chief 
magistrate of this great republic, should be 
ever known and examined by the people. 
With this sentiment constantly before us, have 
we written this book, and the reader must 
judge how closely we have adhered to the 
guide adopted. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

A retrospect of the acts and character of Harris<Hi. 

William Henry Harrison entered the 
service of his country when quite a boy He 



262 LIFE AND TIMES 

went immediately to the west where soldiers 
were wanted. He fought bravely by the side 
of Wayne, and secured the repeated ap- 
plause of his commander. When scarcely a 
man, he was made commander of Fort Wash- 
ington, an exposed post, and charged with 
the care of transmitting arms and provisions 
to forts more advanced. He was appointed 
the first Governor of Indiana, and remained 
in that situation until called to the command 
of the north-western army. During the cam- 
paigns of 1812, 1813, he was constantly in 
service, and devoted his best and greatest 
energies to his country. He followed the 
British into Canada and captured the whole 
army of Proctor. He was then hailed as 
the Washington of the west, and on his 
journey to the capitol, was greeted with the 
most enthusiastic rejoicings. On his way, a 
public dinner was given him at Tammany 
Hall, New York, under the direction of the 
Republican General Committee, at which 300 
persons sat down. The venerable patriot. 
Colonel Rutgers, presided, assisted by four 
vice presidents. 

Subsequently, as member of Congress, 
member of the Ohio Legislature, and minister 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 263 

to Colombia, he was still more distinguished 
than as a warrior ; — his civil exertions for his 
country even exceeded his glory in the field. 
He was always with the people, and in favor 
of placing as much power as possible 
directly in their hands. 

" When high in civil office, he never forgot 
his responsibility to the people, nor abused 
the great powers with which he was intrusted. 
When placed at the head of the army, he 
was neither violent nor arbitrary. He never 
rashly exposed the lives of his men in battle, 
for the selfish purpose of winning laurels 
to deck his own brow. He never crushed 
others, that he might stride into power him- 
self. He never set aside the laws of his 
country, nor insulted the majesty of the 
people in the persons of their officers. He 
was a brave soldier, without being a violent 
man ; an accomplished leader, without in- 
ordinate ambition ; a conqueror, without for- 
getting the precepts of justice and mercy."* 

Retired to private life, he lived and still lives 
as a plain, republican farmer. Some years 
since he was appointed clerk of the Hamilton 
County Court, and he still fills that office. 

* Judge HaD. 



264 LIFE AND TIME^ 

He was also chosen President of the Hamil- 
ton County Agricultural Society, which station 
he occupied with great credit to himself, and 
benefit to the association. 

A gentleman who wrote recently to the au 
thor, describes General Harrison as being 
daily engaged in the labor of his farm, and 
attending personally to the fulfilment of a 
contract he had made to deliver a large quan- 
tity of stone for a public work in the neigh- 
borhood. He is remarkable for his true Vir 
ginian hospitality, and his table, instead of 
being covered with exciting wines, is well 
supplied with the best cider. 

Before closing this, our last chapter, we 
rattsf refer to one circumstance, which has 
been denied by some of his friends, though 
there certainly was no necessity for such de- 
nial. We allude to his reception at Philadel- 
phia, in 1836. Thousands and tens of thou- 
sands crowded Chesnut street wharf upon his 
arrival, and greeted him with continual cheer- 
ing as he landed. He stepped into the ba 
rouche, but the crowd pressed forward so im 
petuously, that the horses became frightened 
and reared frequently A rush was made to un- 
harness the animals, when the General spoke 



OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 265 

to several, and endeavored to prevent it ; but 
the team was soon unmanageable, and it be- 
came necessary to take them off. A rope 
was brought, and attached to the carriage, by 
which the people drew it to the Marshall 
House. This act was the spontaneous burst 
of ten thousand grateful hearts. Pennsylva- 
nians fought under the hero, and they loved 
him. We speak particularly on this point, 
because we were an eye-witness of all that 
passed. Had the horses behaved well and 
gently, the barouche would not have been 
dragged through the street by the people. 

Some years since a bill was brought for- 
ward in Congress, for the relief of J. C. 
Harrison, when Colonel Richard M. John- 
son, of Kentucky, spoke on the subject. We 
conclude our labors with the following extract 
from this speech of the Colonel: — 

"One of the securities is General William 
Henry Harrison — and who is Gen. Harri- 
son ? The son of one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, who spent the 
greater part of his large fortune, in redeeming 
the pledge he then gave of his * fortune, life, 
and sacred honor,' to secure the liberties of 
his country. 

X 



266 LIFE AND TIMES 

** Of the career of Gen. Harrison I need 
not speak — the history of the west is his his- 
tory. For forty years he has been identified 
with its interests, its perils, and its hopes. 
Honored and beloved in the walks of peace, 
and distinguished by his ability in the councils 
of his country, he has been yet more illus- 
triously distinguished in the field. 

*' During the late war, he was longer in ac- 
tive service than any other general officer ; — 
he was perhaps oftenerin action than anyone 
of them, and never sustained a defeaV* 

* See Journals of the House of Representatives for 1831 
Also, many points stated in this chapter, will be found fully sub 
stantialed by various articles in the appendix. 



APPENDIX. 



Correspondence between General Wayne 
AND Major Campbell. 



I. 

MiAMis River, Aug. 21, 1794. 
Sir, 

An army of the United States of America, said to be 
under yonr command, having taken post on the banks 
of the Miamis, for upwards of the last twenty-four hours, 
almost within the reach of the guns of this fort, being a 
post belonging to His Majesty the King of Great Bri- 
tain, occupied by His Majesty's troops, and which I 
have the honor to command, it becomes me to inform 
myself, as speedily as possible, in what light I am to 
view your making such near approaches to this gar- 
rison. 

I have no hesitation on my part to say, that I know 
of no war existing between Great Britain and America. 
I have the honor to be, &c. 

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, 
Major 24th Reg't, commanding a British post 
on the banks of the Miamis. 
To Major General Wayne, &c. &c. 

II. 

Camp on the Banks of the Miamis, ? 
August 21, 1794. 5 

Sir, 

I have received your letter of this date, requiring 
from me the motives which have moved the army uu 
der my command to the position they at present occupy 
far within the acknowledged jurisdiction of the Unitea 
States of America. 



268 VPPENDIX 

Without questioning the authority, or the propriety, 
sir, of your interrogatory, I think I may, without breach 
of decorum, observe to you, that were you entitled to 
an answer, the most full and satisfactory one was an- 
nounced to you from the muzzles of my small arms 
yesterday morning in the action against hordes of sav- 
ages in the vicinity of your post, which terminated 
gloriously to the American arras. But had it continued 
until the Indians, &c. were driven under the influence 
of the post and guns you mention, they would not have 
much impeded the progress of the victorious army un- 
der my command; as no such post was established at 
tlie commencement of the present war between the 
Indians and the United States. 

I have the honor to be, sir, &c. 

ANTHONY WAYNE, 

Major General and Commander-in-chief of 
the Federal army. 
To Major Wm. Campbell, &c. 



III. 

Fort Miamis, Aug. 22, 1791. 
Sir, 

Although your letter of yesterday's date fully author- 
izes me to any act of hostility against the army of the 
United States of America in this neighborhood under 
your command, yet, still anxious to prevent that dread- 
ful decision, which perhaps is not intended to be ap- 
pealed to by either of our countries, I have forborne 
for these two days past to resent those insults which 
you have offered to the British flag flying at this fort, by 
approaching it within pistol-shot of my works, not only 
singly, but in numbers, with anns in their hands. 

Neither is it my wish to wage -war with individuals. 
But should you after this continue to approach my post 
in the threatening manner youare at this moment do- 
ing, my indispensable duty to my King and Country, 
and the honor of my profession, will oblige me to have 
recourse to those measures which thousands of either 
cation may hereafter have cause to regret, and which I 



APPENDIX. 2gg 

Bolemnly appeal to God 1 have used my utmost endea- 
vors to arrest. 

I have the honor to be, sir, &c. 

WM. CAMPBELL 
To Major General Wayne, &c. 

[No other notice v^^as taken of this letter than what is 
expressed in the following letter. The fort and works 
were however reconnoitered in every direction, at some 
points possibly within pistol-shot. It was found to be 
a regular, strong work, the front covered by a wide 
river, with four guns mounted in that face. The rear, 
which was the most susceptible of approach, had two 
regular bastions furnished with eight pieces of artillery, 
the whole surrounded with a wide, deep ditch. From 
the bottom of the ditch to the top of the parapet, was 
about twezity feet perpendicular. The works were also 
surrounded by an abbatis, and furnished with a strong 
garrison.] 

IV. 

Camp on the Banks of the Miamis, ) 
August, 22, 1794. S 

Sir, 

In your letter of the 21st instant you declare, -'I have 
no hesitation on my part to say that I know of no war 
existing between Great Britain and America." 

I, on my part, declare the same; and the only cause 
I have to entertain a contrary idea at present is, the 
hostile act you are now in commission of, — that is, 
recently taking post far within the well-known and ac- 
knowledged Iiinits of the United States, and erecting a 
fortification in the heart of the settlements of the Indian 
tribes now at war with the United States. 

This, sir, appears to be an act of the highest aggres- 
sion, and destructive to the peace and interest of the 
Union. Hence, it becomes my duty to desire, and I do 
hereby desire and demand, in the name of the President 
of the United States, that you immediately desist from 
any further act of hostility or aggression, by forbearing 
to fortify, and by withdrawing the troops, artillery, and 
stores under your orders and direction, forthwith, and 
X* 



270 APPENDIX. 

removing to the nearest post occupied by His Britannic 
Majesty's troops at the peace of 1783 — and which you 
will be permitted to do unmolested by the troops under 
my command. 
I am, sir. with very great respect, &c. 

ANTHONY WAYNE. 
To Major William Campbell, &c. 



Fort Miamis, Aug. 22, 1794. 
Sir, 

I have this moment the honor to acknowledge the 
receipt of your letter of this date. In answer to which 
I have only to say, that being placed here in the com- 
mand of a British post, and acting in a military capacity 
only, I cannot enter into any discussion either on the 
right or impropriety of my occupyin^^ my present posi- 
tion. Those are matters that I conceive will be best left 
to the ambassadors of our different nations. 

Having said this much, permit me to inform you, that 
I certainly will not abandon this post at the summons 
of any power whatever, until I receive orders from 
those I have the honor to serve under, or the fortune 
of war should oblige me. 

I must still adhere, sir, to the purport of my letter 
this morning, to desire that your army, or individuals 
belonging to it, will not approach within reach of my 
cannon without expecting the consequences attending it. 

Although I have said in the former part of my letter, 
that my situation here is totally military, yet let me add, 
sir, that I am much deceived if His Majesty, the King 
of Great Britain, had not a post on this river at and 
prior to the period you mention. 

I have the honor to be, <fec. 

WM. CAMPBELL, 
Major of the 24th Regiment, commanding at 
Fort Miamis. 
To Major General Wayne, &c. 

[The only notice taken of this letter, was in imme- 
diately setting fire to and destroying every thing within 
view of the fort, and even under the muzzles of the 
guna I Boston Chronicle, Oct. 13, 1794 



APPENDIX. 27J 

MiSCHECANOCQUAH TO GOVERNOR HaRRISON. 

Fort Wayne, Jan. 25, 1812. 
Governor Harrison, 

My friend — I have been requested by my nation to 
apeak to you, and I obey their request with pleasure, 
because I believe their situation requires all the aid I 
can afford them. 

When your speech by Mr. Dubois was received by 
the Miamies, they answered it, and I made known to 
you their opinion at that time. 

Your letter to William Wells of the 23d November 
last, has been explained to the Miamies and Eel-River 
tribes of Indians. 

My friend — Although neither of these tribes have had 
any thing to do with the late unfortunate affair which 
happened on the Wabash, still they all rejoice to hear 
you say, that if those foolish Indians which were en- 
gaged in that action, would return to their several 
homes and remain quiet, that they would be pardoned, 
and again received by the President as his children 
We believe there is none of them that will be so foolish, 
as not to accept of this friendly offer; whilst, at the 
same time, I assure you, that nothing shall be wanting 
on my part, to prevail on them to accept it. 

All the prophet's followers have left him, (with the 
exception of two camps of his own tribe.) Tecumseh 
has just joined him with eight men only. No danger 
can be apprehended from them at present. Our eyes 
will be constantly kept on them, and should they at- 
tempt to gather strength again, we will do all in our 
power to prevent it, and at the same time give you im 
mediate information of their intentions. 

We are sorry that the peace and friendship which has 
so long existed between the red and white people, could 
not be preserved, without the loss of so many good men 
as fell on both sides in the late action on the Wabash; 
but we are satisfied that it will be the means of making 
that peace which ought to exist between us, more re- 
spected, both by the red and the white poople. 

We have been lately told, by different Indians from 
that quarter, that you wished the Indians from this 



273 APPENDIX 

country to visit you: this they will dp with pleasure 
when you give them information of it in writing. 

My friend! — The clouds appear to be rising in a dif 
ferent quarter, which threatens to turn our light into 
'darkness. To prevent this, it may require the united 
efforts of us all. We hope that none of us will be found 
to shrink from the storm that threatens to burst upon 
our nations. Your friend, 

X MiSCHECANOCQUAH, 

or LITTLE TURTLE. 

For the Miami and Eel-River tribes of Indians. 
Witness, 

Wm. Turner, Surgeon's Mate, XJ. S. Army. 

I certify that the above is a true translation. 

W. WELLS. 



Mr. Eustis to General Harrison. 

War Department, Sept. 17, 1812. 
Sir, 

The President is pleased to assign to you the com- 
mand of the north-western army, which, in addition to 
the regular troops and rangers in that quarter, will con- 
sist of the volunteers and militia of Kentucky, Ohio, 
and three thousand from Virgiiiia and Pennsylvania, 
making your whole force ten thousand men. 

Having provided for the protection of the western 
frontier, you will retake Detroit, and with a view to 
the conquest of Upper Canada, you will penetrate that 
country as far as the force under your command will, 
in your judgment, justify. 

Every exertion is making to give you a train of artil* 
lery from Pittsburgh ; to eflect which, you must be 
sensible, requires time. Major Stoddard, the senior 
officer of artillery at tliat place, will advise you of his 
arrangements and progress, and receive your instruc- 
tions. Captain Gratiot, of the engineers, will report 
himself to you, from Pittsburgh: he will receive your 
orders, and join you with the first piece of artillery 
which can be prepared, or receive such orders as you 
may direct. Major Ball, of the 2d regiment of dra- 



APPENDIX. 273 

goons, will also repart himself, and join you imme- 
diately. Such st'afF officers as you may appoint con- 
formably to law, will be approved by the President. 

Copies of all contracts for supplying provisions have 
been transmitted. Mr. Denny, tlie contractor at Pitts- 
burgh, is instructed to furnish magazines of provisions 
at such places as you may direct. 

The deputy quarter-master at Pittsburgh will continue 
to forward stores and munitions of every kind, and will 
meet your requisitions. 

Colonel Buford, deputy commissary, at Lexington, is 
furnished with funds, and is subject to your oi-ders. 
Should an additional purchasing commissary become 
necessary, you will appoint one, and authorize him to 
draw and sell bills on this department. It seems advi 
sable to keep the local contractors in requisition as far 
as they can supply. With these objects in view, you 
will command such means as may be practicable, exer- 
cise your own discretion, and act in all cases according 
to your own judgment. 

Very respectfully, &c. 

W. EUSTIS. 

Brig. Gen. Wm. H. Harrison. 



Colonel Johnson to General Harrison 

Camp at Lower Sandusky, July 4, 1813. 
Dear Sir, 

I arrived at this place last evening with a part of the 
mounted regiment, after two days' march from Camp 
Meigs, leaving- two companies four miles in the rear, 
who were unable to reach this place; besides about 
twenty horses left on the way, which I am in hopes will 
be able to get back to Camp Meigs, or come to this 
place in a few days, where we can keep them together, 
and recruit them. Having been in the most active ser- 
vice for upwards of forty days, and having travelled 
upwards of seven hundred miles, much of it forced 
marching, it is natural to conclude, that most of the 
horses are weak; and we feel great pleasure, and obli 



274 APPENDIX. 

gations to you, in finding your arrangements such as 
to enable us to recruit the horses 'of the regiment. 
To be ready to move witli you to Detroit and Canada, 
against the enemies of our country, is the first wish of 
our hearts. Two great objects induced us to come — 
first, to be at the regaining of our own territory and 
Detroit, and at the taking of Maiden — and secondly, to 
serve under an officer in ichom we have confidence. We 
would not have engaged in the service without such a 
prospect, when we recollected what disasters have at- 
tended us for the want of good generals. We did not 
want to serve under cowards, drunkards, old grannies, 
nor traitors, but under one who had proved himself to be 
tcise, prudent, and brave. The officers of the mounted 
regiment had some idea of addressing you on their 
anxiety to be a part of your army in the campaign 
against Canada, and of giving you a statement of the 
importance of having an opportunity to make the regi- 
ment efficient for such a campaign, by recruiting their 
horses. As to the men, they are active, healthy, and 
fond of service. This morning I have sent 100 on foot 
to scour the surrounding country; and wherever we 
are we wish continual service. Our regiment is about 
900 strong when all together. I have left 100 at Defi- 
ance to regain some lost horses, and to guard that 
frontier. 

You have not witnessed the opposition I encountered 
in raising the regiment. Every personal enemy, every 
traitor and tory, and your enemies, all combined — but in 
vain. Nothing but the hurry which attended our march 
prevented me from having 1,500 men. Nothing but the 
importance of the service which I thought we could ren 
der, would have justified my absence from the present 
catch-penny Congress. My enemies, your enemies, the 
enemies of the cause, would exult if the mounted regi- 
ment should, from any cause, be unable to carry a strong 
arm against the savages and British, when you strike the 
grand blow. 

It is with diffidence I write you any thing touching 
military matters; but the desires of my soul, and the 
situation of the regiment, have induced me thus freely 
to express myself. In the morning we shall leave this 



APPENDIX. 275 

place for Huron, ready to receive your orders, which 
will be always cheerfully executed at every hazard. 
Your obedient servant, 

RICHARD M. JOHNSON. 



The Officers of the Army to the Public. 

Lower Seneca Town, Aug. 19, 1813. 
"The undersigned, being the general, field, and staff 
officers with that portion of the north-western army 
under the immediate command of General Harrison, 
have observed with regret and surprise that charges, as 
improper in the form as in the substance, have been 
made against the conduct of General Harrison, during 
the recent investment of Lower Sandusky. At another 
time, under ordinary circumstances, we should deem 
it improper and unmilitary thus publicly to give any 
opinion respecting the movements of the army. But 
public confidence in the commanding general is essen- 
tial to the success of the campaign, and causelessly to 
withdraw or to withhold that confidence, is more than 
individual injustice — it becomes a serious injury to t-he 
service. A part of the force of which the American 
army consists, will derive its greatest strength and effi- 
cacy from a confidence m the counnanding general, and 
from those moral causes vviiich accompany and give 
energy to public opinion. A very erroneous idea, re- 
specting^^the number of the troops then at the disposal 
of the General, has doubtless been the primary cause 
of these unfortunate and unfounded impressions. In that 
respect we have, fortunately, experienced a very favor- 
able change. But we refer the public to the General's 
official report to the Secretary of War, of .^'lajor Cro- 
ghan's successful defence of Lower Sandusky. In that 
will be found a statement of our whole disposable force; 
and he who believes that with such a force, and under 
the circumstances which then occurred, General Harri- 
son ought to have advanced upon the enemy, must be 
left to correct his opinion in the school of experience. 
On a review of tlie course then adopted, we are deci- 



276 APPENDIX. 

dedly of the opinion, that it was such as was dictated by 
military wisdom, and by a due regard to our own cir- 
cumstances and to the situation of the enemy. The 
reasons for this opinion, it is evidently improper now 
to give ; but we hold ourselves ready at a future period, 
and when other circumstances shall have intervened, to 
satisfy every man of its correctness who is anxious to 
investigate and willing to receive the truth. And with 
a ready acquiescence, beyond the mere claims of mili- 
tary duty, we are prepared to obey a general, whose 
measures meet our most deliberate approbation, and 
merit that of his country. 

LEWIS CASS, Brig. Gen. U. S. Army. 

SAMUEL WELLS, Col. 17ih Reg't U. S. Inf 

THOS. D. OWINGS, Col. 2Sth Reg't U. S. Inf 

GEORGE PAUL, Col. 17th Reg't U. S. Inf. 

J. C. BARTLETT, Col. a'r M. Gen. 

JAMES V. BALL, Lieut. Col. 

L. HUKILL, Maj. and Ass't Insp. Gen. 

ROBERT MORRISON, Lieut. Col. 

GEORGE TODD, Maj. 19th Reg't U. S. Inf. 

WILLIAM TRIGG, Mai. 28th Reg't U. S. Inf. 

JAMES SMILEY, Maj. 2Sth Reg't U. S. Inf. 

RICHARD GRAHAM, Maj. 17th Reg't U. S. Inf. 

GEORGE CROGHAN, Maj. 17th Reg't U. S. Inf. 

E. D. WOOD, Maj. Engineers. 



Major Croghan's Card. 

Lower Sandusky, Aug 27, 1813. 

I have with much regret seen in some of the public 
prints such misrepresentations respecting my refusal to 
evacuate this post, as are calculated not only to injure 
me iu the estimation of military mon, but also to excite 
unfavorable impressions as to tlie propriety of General 
Harrison's conduct relative to this aftair. 

His character as a military man is too well established 
to need my approbation or support. But his public 
services entitle him at least to common justice. This 
affair does not furnish cause of reproach. If public 



APPENDIX. 277 

opinion has been lately misled respecting his late con- 
duct, it will require but a moment's cool, dispassionate 
reflection, to convince them of its propriety. The 

MEASURES RECENTLY ADOPTED BY HIM, SO FAR FROM 
DESERVING CENSURE, ARE THE CLEAREST PROOFS OF 
HIS KEEN PENETRATION AND ABLE GENERALSHIP. It is 

true that I did not proceed immediately to execute his 
order to evacuate this post; but this disobedience was 
not, as some would wish to believe, the result of a fixed 
determination to maintain the post contrary to his most 
positive orders, as will appear from the following detail, 
which is given to explain my conduct. 

About 10 o'clock on the morning of the 30th ultimo, 
a letter from the Adjutant General's office, dated Seneca 
Town, July 29th, 1813, was handed me by Mr. Connor, 
ordering me to abandon this post, burn it, and retreat 
that night to head quarters. On the reception of the 
order, I called a council of officers, in which it was de- 
termined not to abandon the place, at least until the 
further pleasure of the General should be known, as it 
was thought that an attempt to retreat in the open day, 
in the face of a superior force of the enemy, would be 
more hazardous than to remain in the fort, under all its 
disadvantages. I therefore wrote a letter to the Gen- 
eral, couched in such terms as I thought were calcu- 
lated to deceive the enemy, should it fall into his hands, 
which I thought more than probable, — as well as to 
inform the general, should it be so fortunate as to reach 
him, that I would wait to hear from him, before I should 
proceed to execute his order. This letter, contrary to 
my expectations, was received by the General, who, not 
knowing what reasons urged me to write in a tone so 
decisive, concluded very rationally that the manner of 
it was demonstrative of the most positive determination 
to disobey his order under any circumstances. I was 
therefore suspended from the command of the fort, and 
ordered to head quarters. But on explaining to the 
General my reason for not executing his orders, and ray 
object in using the style I had done, he was so perfectly 
satisfied with the explanation, that I was immediately 
reinstated in the command. 

It will be recollected that the order above alluded to 
Y 



278 APPENDIX. 

was written on the night previous to my receiving it — 
had it been delivered to me, as was intended, that nigiit, 
I should have obeyed it without hesitation ; its not 
reaching me in time was the only reason which induced 
me to consult my officers on the propriety of waiting 
the General's further orders. 

It has been stated, also, that, " upon my representa- 
tions of my ability to maintain the post, the Goneral 
altered his determination to abandon it." This is incor- 
rect. No such representations were ever made. And 
the last order I received from the General was precisely 
the same as that first given — viz., "That if I discovered 
the approach of a large British force by water, (presu- 
ming that they would bring heavy artillery,) time enough 
to effect a retreat, I was to do so; but if I could not re- 
treat with safety, to defend the post to the last extremity." 

A day or two before the enemy appeared before Fort 
Meigs, the General had reconnoitered the surrounding 
ground, and being informed that the hill on the oppo- 
site side of Sandusky completely commanded the fort, I 
evffered to undertake, with the troops under my com- 
mand, to remove it to that side. The General, upon 
reflection, thought it best not to attempt it, as he be- 
lieved that if the enemy again appeared on this side of 
the lake, it would be before the work could be finished. 

It is useless to disguise the fact, that this fort is com- 
manded by the points of higli ground around it; a sin- 
gle stroke of the eye made this clear to me the first time 
I had occasion to examine the neighborhood, with a 
view ef discovering the relative strength and weakness 
of tlie place. 

It would be insincere to say that I am not flattered by 
the many handsome things which have been said about 
the defence which was made by the troops under my 
command ; but I desire no plaudits which are bestowed 
upon me at the expense of General Harrison. 

I have at all times enjoyed his confidence so far as my 
rank in the army entitled me to it, and on proper occa- 
sions received his marked attention. I have felt the 
warmest attachment for him as a man, and my confi- 
dence in him as an oi/e commander remains unshaken. 
I feel every assurance that he will at all times do me 



APPENDIX. 279 

ample justice; and nothing could give me more pain 
than to see his enemies seize upon this occasion to deal 
out their unfriendly feelings and acrimonious dislike — 
and as long as he continues (as in my humble opinion 
he has hitherto done) to make the wisest arrangements 
and most judicious disposition which the forces under 
his command will justify, I shall not hesitate to unite 
with the army in bestowing upon him that confidence 
which he so richly merits, and which has on no occasion 
ween withheld. Your friend, 

GEORGE CROGHAN, 
Iffaj. 17th Infantry, commanding Lower Sandusky. 



Indiana Legislature and Gen. Harrison. 

To His Excellency William Henry Harrison, Governor and Com- 
mander-in-chief in and over the Indiana Territory. 
Sir, 

The House of Representatives of the Indiana Terri 
tory, in their own name and in behalf of their constitu- 
ents, most cordially reciprocate the congratulations of 
your Excellency on the glorious result of the late san- 
guinary conflict with the Shawanee Prophet,* and the 
tribes of Indians confederated with him. When we see 
displayed in behalf o^" our country, not only the con- 
summate abilities of the General, but the heroism of the 
man ; and when we take into view the benefits which 
must result to that country, from those exertions, we 
cannot for a moment withhold our meed of applause. 
#♦■*#*##» 

GEORGE- W. JOHNSTONE, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Representative Chamber, Nov., 1811. 



Reply of General Harrison. 

Gentlemen of the House '^f Representatives, 

Believing, as I do. that the highest reward which a 
republican soldier can receive, is the approbation of his 

* Battle of Tippecanoe, 



280 APPENDIX. 

fellow-citizens, I cannot be otherwise than highly grati- 
fied at the applause which you have been pleased to 
bestow on my conduct as commander of the late expe- 
dition. It has ever been my wish, gentlemen, to deserve 
the confidence of your constituents. To promote their 
welfare and happiness, has been for years the great ob- 
ject of my cares; and if in the late action it had pleased 
the Almighty to seal with my life, the victory which was 
to insure their safety, the sacrifice would have been 
cheerfully made. 

WILLIAM H. HARRISON. 



Communication on the Battle of Tippecanoe, in the 
National Intelligencer of December 3d, 1811. 

" In a regular engagement the General has but to 
adopt his plan, and trust to the ability of his troops for 
the execution : but in cases of surprise, every thing de- 
pends upon his exertions. His voice and example must 
recall the fainting spirits of his men, and lead them to 
their duty. And I challenge history to produce another 
instance, where, after an enemy so nearly equal in num- 
ber, so dreadful, and so brave as the North American 
savages, and they made more desperate by fanaticism, 
had penetrated the centre of a camp in the night, and 
were dealing death around, that the attacked have ral- 
lied and beat off the enemy. Indeed, few are the in- 
stances in which they have been able to effect a retreat. 

'Tis said, and truly, that emergencies discover the man. 
And surely, surely, emergencies have discovered Gover- 
nor Harrison to possess, presence of mind, valor, and 
military skill, qualities which need the experience of a 
few battles only to make an able military commander." 

( From the New York papers of 1813. ) 
Dinner in honor of General Harrison. — A public 
dinner was given at Tammany Hall, in this city, under 
the direction and superintendence of the Republican 
General Committee of New York, to Major General 
Wm. H. Harrison. The company assembled aniounted 
to absut 300 persons. * * * * 



APPENDIX. 2gJ^ 

On the exterior of the hall was placed a very elegant 
transparency, from the pencil of Mr. Holland. In the 
foreground several Indian chiefs we^^e imploring the 
clemency of General Harrison. This transparency sup- 
ported another, on which was inscribed 
"HARRISON," 
"PERRY," 
"DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP." 

Fourteenth Toast. — The plaudits of a grateful people — 
The patriot hero's best reward.— Nine cheers. — Music, 
Harrison's March. 

By General Harrison — The freedom of the seas, and 
the adoption by our government of that Roman maxim 
which secured to the citizen his inviolability. — Twelve 
cheers. 

After Gen. Harrison had retired, the president (Col. 
Henry Rutgers) gave the following : — 

Major Gen. Harrison — The deliverer of the western 
frontier. — Seventeen cheers. 



General Harrison's Modesty. — Mr. Ritchie, editor 
of the Richmond Enquirer, in his paper of Nov., 1813, 
in speaking of Harrison's account of the battle of the 
Thames, said : — 

" General Harrison's detailed letter tells us of every 
tiling we wish to know about the officers, except him- 
self. He does justice to every one but Harrison, and 
the world inust therefore do justice to the man who was too 
modest to be just to himself." 

Extract from the President's (Madison's) Message, 
Dec. 7, 1813. 

" The success on Lake Erie having opened a passage 
to the territory of the enemy. General Harrison com- 
manding the north-western army, transferred the war 
thither; and rapidly pursuing the hostile troops fleeing 
with their savage associates, forced a general action, 
which quickly terminated in the capture of the British 
and the dispersion of the savage force. This result is 
signally JionoraUe to Major General Harrison, by lohosa 



282 APPENDIX. 

military talents it was prepared, and to the spirit of the 
volunteer militia equally brave and patriotic, who bore 
an interesting part in the scene." 

Jefferson and Harrison. — It has been denied by 
some that General Harrison received office from Thomas 
Jefferson. On page 441, of the Executive Journal 
of the United States Senate, the following may be 
found : — 

" I nominate William Henry Harrison to be Gover 
nor of the Indiana Territory, from the 13th day of May 
next, when his present commission will expire." 

Again — 

" I nominate William Henry Harrison of Indiana, to 
be a commissioner to enter into any treaty, or treaties 
which may be necessary, with any Indian tribes, north 
west of the Ohio, and within the territory of the United 
States, on the subject of the boundary, or lands." 

THOMAS JEFFERSON." 

The message containing these nominations was trans 
mitted to the Senate 3d Feb. 1803— read the 4th, and on 
the 8th taken up for consideration, when the two nomi 
natibns, received the unanimous sanction of that honor- 
able body. 



General Harrison to General Bolivar. 

Bogota, Sept. 27, 1829. 
Sir, 

If there is any thing in the style, the matter, or tho 
object of this letter, which is calculated to give offence 
to your Excellency, I am persuaded you will readily 
forgive it, when you reflect on the motives which in 
duced me to write it. An old soldier could possess no 
feehngs but those of the kindest character towards one 
who has shed so much lustre on the profession of arms; 
nor can a citizen of the country of Washington cease 
to wish that, in Bolivar, the world might behold another 
itistance of the highest military attainments united with 
the purest patriotism, and the greatest capacity for civil 
government. 



APPENDIX. 233 

Such, sir, have been the fond hopes, not only of the 
people of the United States, but of the friends of liberty 
throughout the world. I will not say, that your Excel- 
lency has formed projects to defeat those hopes. But 
there is no doubt, that they have not only been formed, 
but are, at this moment, in progress to maturity, and 
openly avowed by those who possess your entire confi- 
dence. I will not attribute to these men impure mo- 
tives; but can they be disinterested advisers? Are they 
not the very persons who will gain most by the proposed 
change? — who will, indeed, gain all that is to be gained, 
without furnishing any part of the equivalent? That 
that, the price of their future wealth and honors, is to 
be furnished exclusively by yourself? And of what 
does it consist? Your great character. Such an one, 
that, if a man were wise, and possessed of the empire 
of the Csssars, in its best days, he would give all to ob- 
tain. Are you prepared to make this sacrifice, for such 
an object ? 

I am persuaded that those who advocate these mea 
sures, have never dared to induce you to adopt them, 
by any argument founded on your personal interests ; 
and that, to succeed, it would be necessary to convince 
you that no other course remained, to save the country 
from the evils of anarchy. This is the question, then, 
to be examined. 

Does the history of this country, since the adoption 
of the constitution, really exhibit unequivocal evidence 
that the people are unfit to be free ? Is the exploded 
opinion of a European philosopher, of the last age, that 
"in the new hemisphere, man is a degraded being," to 
be renewed, and supported by the example of Colom- 
bia? The proofs should, indeed, be strong, to induce 
an American to adopt an opinion so humiliating. 

Feeling always a deep interest in the success of the 
revolutions in the late Spanish America, I have never 
been an inattentive observer of events pending, and 
posterior to the achievement of its independence. In 
these events, I search in vain for a single fact to show 
that, in Colombia at least, the state of society is unsuited 
to the adoption of a free government. Will it be said 
that a free government did exist, but, being found inad- 



284 APPENDIA: 

equate to the objects for which it had been instituted, it 
has been superseded by one of a different character, 
with the concurrence of a majority of the people? 

It is the most difficult thing in the world for me to 
believe that a people in the possession of their rights as 
freemen, would ever be willing to surrender them, and 
submit themselves to the will of a master. If any such 
instances are on record, the power thus transferred has 
been in a moment of extreme public danger, and then 
limited to a very short period. I do not think that it is 
by any means certain, that the majority of the French 
jjeople favored the elevation oi Napoleon to the throne 
of France. BiU, if it were so, how different were the 
circumstances of that country from those of Colombia, 
when the constitution of Cucuta was overthrown ! At 
the period of the elevation of Napoleon to the lirst con 
sulate, all the powers of Europe were the open or the 
secret enemies of Franccv-civil war raged within her 
borders; the hereditary king possessed many partisans 
in every province; the people, coutinunlly betrayed by 
the factions which murdered and succeeded each other, 
had imbibed a portion of their ferocity, and every town 
and village witnessed the indiscriminate slaughter of 
both men and women, of all parties and principles. 
Does the history of Colombia, since the expiilsion of 
the Spaniards, present any parallel to these scenes? 
Her frontiers have been never serioiu^y menaced — no 
civil war raged — not a partisan of the former govern- 
ment was to be found in the whole extent of her terri- 
tory — no factions contended with each other for the pos- 
session of power; the executive government remained 
in the hands of those to whom it had been committed 
by the people, in a fair election. In fact, no people ever 
passed from under the yoke of a despotic government, 
in the enjoyment of entire freedom, with less disposition 
to abuse their newl)" acquired power, than those of Co- 
lovnbia. They submitted, indeed, to a continuance of 
some of the most arbitrary and unjust features which 
distinguished the former government. If there was any 
disposition, on the part of the great mass of the people, 
to effect any change in the existing order of things; 
if the Colombian acts from the same motives and upoa 



APPENDIX. 235 

the same principles which govern mankind elsewhere, 
and in all ages, they would have desired to take from 
the government a part of the power, which, in their 
inexperience they had confided to it. The monopoly 
of certain articles of agricultural produce, and the op- 
pressive duty of the Alcavala, might have been toler- 
ated, until the last of their tyrants were driven from the 
country. But when peace was restored, when not one 
enemy remained within its borders, it might reasonably 
have been supposed that the people would have desired 
to abolish these remains of arbitrary government, and 
substitute for them some tax more equal and accordant 
with republican principles. 

On the contrary, it is pretended that they had become 
enamoured with these despotic measures, and so dis- 
gusted with the freedom they did enjoy, that they were 
more than willing to commit their destinies to the un 
controlled will of your Excellency. Let me assure you, 
sir, that these assertions will gain no credit with the 
present generation, or with posterity. They will de- 
mand the facts which had induced a people, by no 
means deficient in intelligence, so soon to abandon the 
principles for which they had so gallantly fought, and 
tamely surrender that liberty, which had been obtained 
at the expense of so much blood. And what facts can 
be produced ? It cannot be said that life and property 
were not as well protected under the republican govern- 
ment, as they have ever been ; nor that there existed any 
opposition to the constitution and laws, too strong for 
the ordinary powers of the government to put down. 

If the insurrection of General Paez, in Venezuela, is 
adduced, I WouM ask, by what means was he reduced 
to obedience? Your Excellency, the legitimate head 
of the republic, appeared, and, in a moment, all oppo- 
sition ceased, and Venezuela was restored to the repub- 
lic. But, it is said, that this was effected by your per- 
sonal influence, or the dread of your military talents, 
and that, to keep General Paez, and other ambitious 
chiefs, from dismembering the republic, it was neces- 
sary to invest your Excellency with the exti'aordinary 
powers you possess. There would be some reason in 
this, if you had refused to act without these powers,, 



Ogg APPENDIX. 

or, haying acted as you did, you had been unable to aft 
comphsh any thing without them. But you succeeded 
completely, and there can be no possible reason assign- 
ed, why you would not have succeeded, with the same 
means, against any future attempt of General Paez, or 
any other general. 

There appears, however, to be one sentiment, in 
which all parties unite ; that is, that as matters now 
stand, you alone can save the country from ruin, at 
least, from much calamity. They ditfer, however, very 
widely, as to the measures to be taken to put your 
Excellency in the way to render this important service. 
The lesser, and more interested party, is for placing tke 
government iji your hands for hfe; either with your 
present title, or with one which, it must be confessed, 
better accords with the nature of the powers to be exer- 
cised. If they adopt the less offensive title, and if they 
weave into their system some apparent checks to your 
will, it is only for the purpose of masking, in some de- 
gree, their real object; which is nothing short of the 
establishment of a despotism. The plea of necessity, 
that eternal argument of all conspirators, ancient or 
modern, against the rights of mankind, will be resorted 
to, to induce you to accede to their measures ; and the 
unsettled state of the country, which has been design- 
edly produced by them, will be adduced as evidence 
of that necessity. 

There is but one way for your Excellency to escape 
from the snares which have been so artfully laid to en- 
trap you, and that is, to stop short in the course which, 
unfortunately, has been already commenced. Every 
step you advance, under the influence of such councils, 
will make retreat more diliioult, until it will becoma 
impracticable. You will be told that the intention is 
only to vest you with authoritv to correct what is wrong 
ni the administration, and to put down the factions, and 
that, when the country once oiijovs tranquillity, the gov- 
ernment may be restored to the people. Delusive will 
be the hopes of those who rely upon this declaration. 
The promised hour of tranquillity will never arrive. If 
events tended to produce it, they would be counteracted 
by tlis government itself ft was the strong remark of a 



APPENDIX. 287 

'brmer President of the United States, that, *', Sooner 
will the lover be contented with the first smiles of his 
mistress, than a government cease to endeavor to pre- 
serve and extend its powers." With whatever reluct- 
ance your Excellency may commence the career ; with 
whatever disposition to abandon it, when the objects 
for which it was commenced have been obtained; when 
once fairly entered, you will be borne along by the irre- 
sistible force of pride, habit of command, and, indeed, 
of self-preservation, and it will be impossible to recede. 

But, it is said, that it is for the benefit of the people 
that the proposed change is to be made; and that by 
your talents and influence, alone, aided by unlimited 
power, the ambitious chiefs in the different departments 
are to be restrained, and the integrity of the republic 
preserved. I have said, and 1 most sincerely believe, 
that, from the state into which the country has been 
brought, that you alone can preserve it from the hor- 
rors of anarchy. But I cannot conceive that any ex- 
traordinary powers are necessary. The authority to 
Bee that the laws are executed, to call out the strength 
of the country, to enforce their execution, is all that is 
required, and is what is possessed by the Chief Magis- 
trate of the United States, and of every other republic; 
and is what was confided to the executive, by the con- 
stitution of Cucuta. Would your talents or your ener- 
gies be impaired in the council, or the field, or your 
influence lessened, when acting as the head of a re- 
public? 

I propose to examine, very briefly, the results which 
are likely to flow from the proposed change of govern- 
ment; 1st, in relation to the coiuitry; and, 2d, to your- 
self, personally. Is the tranquillity of the country to be 
secured by it.' Is it possible for your Excellency to 
beheve, that when the mask has been thrown off, and 
the people discover that a deefpotic government has 
been fixed upon them, that they will quietly submit to 
it.? Will they forget the pass-word which, like the cross 
of fire, was the signal for rallying to oppose their for- 
mer tyrants.? Will the virgins, at your bidding, cease 
to chaunt the songs of liberty, which so lately animated 
the youth to victory.? Was the patriotic blood of Co* 



288 APPENDIX. 

iombia, all expended in the fields of Vargas, Bayac.n, 
and Carebobo ? The schools may cease to enforce upon 
their pupils the love of coujitry, drawn from the exam- 
ples of Cato and the Bruti, Harmodius and Aristogiton; 
but the glorious example of patriotic devotion, exhibited 
in your own Hacienda, will supply their place. De- 
pend on it, sir, that the moment which shall announce 
the continuance of arbitrary power in your hands, will 
be the commencement of commotions which will re- 
quire all your talents and energies to suppress. You 
may succeed. The disciplined army, at your disposal, 
may be too powerful for an unarmed, undisciplined, 
jmd scattered population; but one unsuccessful effort 
will not content them, and your feelings will be eter- 
nally racked by being obliged to make war upon those 
who have been accustomed to call you their father, and 
lo invoke blessings on your head, and for no cause but 
Iheir adherence to principles which you yourself had 
iaught them to regard more than their lives. 

If by the strong government which the advocates for 
the proposed change so strenuously recommend, one 
without responsibility is intended, which may put men 
lo death, and immure them in dungeons, without trial, 
Hnd one where the army is everything, and the people 
nothing, I must say, that, if the tranquillity of Colombia 
te to be preserved in tliis way, the wildest anarchy 
fvould be preferable. Out of that anarchy a better gov- 
ernment might arise; but the chains of military despot- 
ism once fastened upon a nation, ages might pass away 
before they could be shaken off. 

But I contend that the strongest of all governments 
is that which is most free. We consider that of the 
United States as the strongest, precisely because it is 
iie most free. It possesses the faculties, equally to 
frotect itself fi*om foreign force or internal convul- 
ykon. In both, it has been sufficiently tried. In no 
<louutry upon earth, would an armed opposition to the 
?aws be sooner or more effectually put down. Not so 
«uch by tlie terrors of the guillotine and the gibbet, 
«s from th'^ aroused determination of the nation, exhi- 
biting theii strength, and convincing the factions that 
th«ir cauM vai hopeless. No, sir, depend upon it, that 



APPENDIX 2g9 

ihe p'SSfflefsaicui of arbitrary power, by the government 
of Colombia, will not be the means of securing its tran- 
quillity; nor will the danger of disturbances solely arise 
from the opposition of the people. The power and t"he 
military force which it will be necessary to put in the 
hands of the governors of the distant provinces, added 
to the nature of the country, will continually present to 
those officers the tempation, and the means of revolt. 

Will the proposed change restore prosperity to the 
country? With the best intentions to do so, will you 
be able to recall commerce to its shores and give new 
life to the drooping state of agriculture? The cause 
of the constant decline, in these great interests, cannot 
be mistaken. It arises from the fewness of those who 
labor, and the number of those who are to be sup- 
ported by that labor. To support a swarm of luxurious 
and idle monks, and an army greatly disproportioned to 
the resources of the country, with a body of officers in 
a tenfold degree disproportioned to the army, every 
branch of industry is oppressed with burdens which de^ 
prive the ingenious man of the profits of his ingenuity, 
and the laborer of his reward. To satisfy the constant 
and pressing demands which are made upon it, the 
treasury siezes upon every thing within its grasp — de- 
stroying the very germ of future prosperity. Is there 
any prospect that these evils will cease with the pro- 
posed change? Can the army be dispensed with? Will 
the influence of the monks be no longer necessary? 
Believe me, sir, that the support which the government 
derives from both these sources, will be more than ever 
requisite. 

But the most important inquiry is, the effect which 
this strong government is to have upon the people 
themselves. Will it tend to improve and elevate their 
character, and fit them for the freedom which it is pre- 
tended is to be ultimately bestowed upon them? The 
question has been answered from the age of Homer. 
Man does not learn under oppression those noble qual- 
ities and feelings which fit him for the enjoyment of 
liberty. Nor is despotism the proper school in which 
to acquire the knowledge of the principles of republican 
government. A government whose revonues are d»- 
z 



290 APPENDIX. 

rived from diverting the very sources of wealth from 
its subjects, will not find the means of improving the 
morals and enlightening the minds of the youth, by sup- 
porting systems of liberal education; and, if it could, it 
would not. 

In relation to the effect which this mvestment of power 
is to have upon your happiness and your fame, will the 
pomp and glitter of a court, and the flattery of venal 
courtiers, reward you for the troiibles and anxieties 
attendant upon the exercise of sovereignty, everywhere, 
and those which Avill flow from your peculiar situation? 
Or power, supported by the bayonet, for that willing 
homage which you were wont to receive from your 
fellow-citizens? The groans of a dissatisfied and op- 
pressed people will penetrate the inmost recesses of 
your palace, and you will be tortured by the reflection, 
that you no longer possess that place m their affections', 
which was once your pride and your boast, and which 
would have been your solace under every reverse of 
fortune. Unsupported by the people, your authority 
can be maintained, only, by the terrors of the sword 
and the scaffold. And have these ever been successful 
under similar circumstances ? Blood may smother, for 
a period, but can never extinguish, the fire of liberty, 
which you have contributed so much to kindle, iu the 
bosom of every Colombian. 

I will not urge, as an argument, the personal dangers 
to which you will be exposed. But I will ask if yon 
could enjoy life, which would be preserved by the con- 
stant execution of so many human beings — your coun- 
trymen, your former friends, and almost your worship- 
pers. The pangs of such a situation will be made more 
acute, by reflecting on the hallowed motive of many of 
those who would aim their daggers at your bosom. 
That, like the last of the Romans, they would strike, 
not iiom hatred to the man, but love to the country. 

From a knowledge of your own disposition, and pre- 
sent feelings, your Excellency will not be willing to 
believe, that you could ever be brought to commit an 
act of tyranny, or even to execute lustice with unneces- 
sary rigor. But trust me, sir, that there is nothing more 
corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and 



APPENDIX: 291 

finest feelings of onr nature, than the exercise of un- 
limited power. The man who, in the beginning of such 
a career, might shudder at the idea of taking away the 
life of a fellow-being, might soon have his conscience so 
seared by the repetition of crime, that the agonies of his 
murdered victims might become music to his soul, and 
the drippings of his scaffold afford "blood enough to 
swim in." History is full of such examples. 

From this disgusting pictitre, permit me to call the 
attention of your Excellency to one of a different char- 
acter. It exhibits you as the constitutional Chief Ma- 
gistrate of a free people. Giving to their representatives 
the influence of your great name and talents, to reform 
the abuses which, in a long reign of tyranny and mis- 
rule, have fastened upon every branch of the adminis- 
tration. The army, and its swarm of officers, reduced 
within the limits of real usefulness, placed on the fron- 
tiers, and no longer permitted to control public opinion, 
and be the terror of the peaceful citizen. By the re- 
moval of this incubus from the treasury, and the estab- 
lishment of order, responsibility, and economy, in the 
expenditures of the government, it would soon be ena- 
bled to dispense with the odious mono^jolies, and the 
duty of the Alcavala, which have operated with so 
malign an effect upon commerce and agriculture, and, 
indeed, upon the revenues which they were intended 
to augment. No longer oppressed by these shackles, 
industry would everywhere revive: the farmer and the 
artisan, cheered by the prospect of ample reward for 
their labor, would redouble their exertions: foreigners, 
with their capital and skill in the arts, would crowd 
hither, to enjoy the advantages which could scarcely, 
elsewhere, be found: and Coiowibia would soon exhibit 
the reality of the beautiful fiction of Fenelon — Salentuni 
rising from misery and oppression, to prosperity and 
happiness, under the councils and direction of the coii-i 
cealed goddess. 

What objections can be urged against this course ? 
Can any one, acquainted with the circumstances of the 
country, doubt its success, in restoring and maintaining 
tranquillity? The people would certainly not revolt 
against themselves; and none of the chiefs who are 



292 APPENDIX. 

supposed to be factiously inclined, would think of op- 
posing the strength of the nation, when directed by your 
talents and authority. But it is said, that the want of 
intelligence amongst the people unfits them for the gov- 
ernment. Is it not right, however, that the experiment 
should be fairly tried? I have already said, that this 
has not been done. For myself, I do not hesitate to 
declare my firm belief, that it will succeed. The people 
of Colombia possess many traits, suitable for a repub- 
lican government. A more orderly, forbearing, and 
well-disposed people are nowhere to be met with. In- 
deed, it may safely be asserted, that their faults and 
vices are attributable to the cursed government to which 
they have been so long subjected, and to the intolerant 
character of the religion, whilst their virtues are all their 
own. But, admitting their present want of intelligence, 
no one has ever doubted their capacity to acquire know- 
ledge, and under the strong motives which exist, to ob- 
tain it, supported by the influence of your Excellency, 
it would soon be obtained. 

To yourself, the advantage would be as great as to 
the country ; like acts of mercy, the blessings would be 
reciprocal; your personal happiness secured, and your 
fame elevated to a height which would leave but a sin- 
gle competition in the estimation of posterity. In be- 
stowing the palm of merit, the world has become wiser 
than formerly. The successful warrior is no longer 
regarded as entitled to the first place in tiie temple of 
fame. Talents of this kind have become too common, 
and too often used for mischievous purposes, to be 
regarded as they once were. In this enlightened age, 
the mere hero of the field, and the successful leader of 
armies, may, for the moment, attract attention. But it 
will be such as is bestowed upon the passing meteor, 
whose blaze is no longer remembered, when it is no 
longer seen. To be esteemed eminently great, it is 
necessary to be eminently good. The qualities of the 
hero and the general must be devoted to the advantage 
of mankind, before he will be permitted to assume the 
title of their benefactor ; and the station which he will 
hold in their regard and affections will depend, not 
«i^on the number and the splendor of his victories, but 



APPENDIX. 293 

tipon the results and the use he may make of the influ- 
ence he acquires from them. 

If the fame of our Washington depended upon his 
mihtary achievements, would the common consent of 
the world allow him the pre-eminence he possesses? 
The victories at Trenton. Monmouth, and York, bril- 
liant as they were, exhibiting, '"^^ they certainly did, the 
highest grade of njilitary talents, are scarcely thought of. 
The source of the veneration and esteem which is en- 
tertained for !iis character, by every description of poli- 
ticians — the monarchist and aristocrat, as well as the 
republican, is to be found in his undeviating and exclu- 
sive devotedness to the interest of his country. No 
selfish consideration was ever suffered to intrude itself 
into his mind. For his country he conquered; and the 
unrivalled and increasing prosperity of that country is 
constantly adding fresh glory to his name. General; 
the course which he pursued is open to you, and it 
depends upon yourself to attain the eminence wiiich he 
has reached before you. 

To the eyes of military men, the laurels you won on 
the fields of Vargas, Bayaca, and Carebobo, will be for 
ever green; but will that content you? Are you will- 
ing that your name should descend to posterity, amongst 
the mass of those whose fame has been derived from 
shedding human blood, without a single advantage to 
the human race ? Or, shall it be united to that of Wash- 
ington, as the founder and the father of a great and 
happy people? The choice is before you. Tlie friends 
of liberty throughout the world, and the people of the 
United States in particular, are waiting your decision 
with intense anxiety. Alexander toiled and conquered 
to attain the applause of the Athenians; will you regard 
as nothing the opinions of a nation which has evinced 
its superiority over that celebrated people, in the science 
most useful to man, by having carried into actual prac- 
tice a system of government, of which the wisest Athe- 
nians had but a glimpse in theory, and considered as a 
blessing never to be realized, however ardently to be 
desired? The place wich you are to occupy in their 
esteem depends upon yourself. Farewell. 

W. 11. HARRISON. 

.7* 



294 APPENDIX. 

Extracts from the address delivered before the Ham 
toou County Agricultural Society, by General Harri 
«on, June 16, 1831. 

" The encouragement of agriculture, gentlemen, 
would be praiseworthy in any country ; in our own it ia 
pecuUarly so. Not only to multiply the means and en- 
joyment of life, but as giving greater stability and se- 
curity to our poHtical institutions. In all ages and 
in all countries.it has been observed, that the cultiva- 
tors of the soil, are those who are least willing to part 
with their rights, and submit themselves to the will 
of a master. I have no doubt also, that a taste for 
♦jiricultural pursuits, is the best means of disciplin- 
1m^ the ambition of those daring spirits, who occa- 
Monally spring up in the world, for good or for evil, 
to defend or destroy the liberties of their fellow-men, as 
the principles received from education or circumstances 
may tend. As long as the leaders of the Roman armies 
were taken from the plough, to the plough they were 
wilHng to return. Never in the character of General, 
forgetting the duties of the citizen, and ever ready to 
exchange the sword and the triumphal purple, for the 
homely vestments of the husbandman. 

The history of this far-famed republic is full of in- 
stances of this kind ; but none more remarkable than 
our own age and country have produced. The 
fascinations of power and the trappings of command, 
were as much despised, and the enjoyment of rural 
scenes, and rural employments as highly prized by our 
Washington, as by Cincinnatus or Regulus. At the 
close of his glorious military career, he says, ' I am pre- 
paring to return to that domestic retirement which it is 
well known I left with the deepest regret, and for which 
I have not ceased to sigh through a long and painful 
absence. 

Your efforts, gentlemen, to diffuse a taste for agricul 
ture amongst men of all descriptions and professions, 
may produce results more important even than increas 
KMH tho means of subsistence, and the enjoyment of life. 



APPENDIX. 295 

It may cause some future conqueror for his country, to 
end his career 

" Guiltless of his country's UoodJ'" 
******* 

To the heart cheering prospect of flocks and herds 
feeding on unrivalled pastures, fields of grain, exhiting 
the scriptural proof that the seed had been cast on good 
ground — how often is the eye of the philanthropic tra- 
veller disgusted with the dark, unsightly manufactories 
of a certain poison — poison to the body and the soul. 
A modern ^neas or Uiyssses might mistake them for 
entrances into the Infernal Regions ; nor would they 
greatly err. But unlike those passages which conducted 
the Grecian and Trojan heroes on their pious errands, 
the scenes to which these conduct the unhappy wretch 
who shall enter them are those, exclusively, of misery 
and woe. No relief to the sad picture ; no Tartarus 
there, no Elysium here. It is all Tartarian darkness, and 
not unfrequently Tartarian crime. I speak more freely 
of the practice of converting the material of ihe "staff 
of life" (and for which so many human beings yearly 
perish) into an article which is so destructive of health 
and happiness, because in that way i have sinned 
myself; hut in thai way I shall sin no more.^' — See 
page 258. 

General Harrison to Hon. Harmar Denny, 

North Bknd, Dec, 2, 1838. 
Dear Sir, 

As it is probable that you have by this time returned 
to Pittsburgh, 1 do myself the honor to acknowledge the 
receipt of your letter from Philadelphia, containing the 
proceedings of the National Democratic Anti-masonic 
Convention, which lately convened in that city. With 
feelings of the deepest gratitude, I read the resolution 
unanimously adopted, nominating me as a candidate for 
the President of the United States. This is the second 
time that I have received from that patriotic party, of 
which you yourself are a distinguished member, the 



ogg APPENDIX. 

highest evidence of confidence that can be given to a 
citizen of our republic. I would attempt to describe 
my sense of the obligations I owe them, if I were not 
convinced that any language which I could command 
would fall far short of what I reuHy feel. If, however, 
the wishes of the convention should be realized, and if I 
should second their efforts, I shall have it in my power 
to manifest my gratitude in a manner more acceptable 
to those whom you represent, than by any professions 
of it which 1 could at this time make; I mean by exert- 
ing my ntmost efforts to carry out the principles set 
forth in their resolutions, by arresting the progress of 
the measures "destructive to the prosperity of the peo- 
ple, and tending to the subversion of their liberties, ' 
and substituting for them those sound democratic re- 
publican doctrines, npon which the administration of 
Jefferson and Madison were conducted. 

Among the principles proper to be adopted by any 
executive sincerely desirous to restore the administration 
to its original simplicity and purify, I deem the follow- 
ing to be of prominent importance. 

I. To confine his service to a single term. 

II. To disclaim all right of control over the public 
treasure, with the exception of such part of it as may be 
appropriated by law, to carry on the public services, 
and that to be applied precisely as the law may direct, 
and drawn from the treasury agreeably to the long esta- 
blished forms of tliat department, 

III. That he should never attempt to influence the 
elections, either by the people or the state legislatures, 
nor ;'ufFer the federal officers under his control to take 
any other part in them than by giving their own votes 
when tiiey possess the right of voting. 

IV. That in the exercise of the veto power, he should 
limit his rejection of bills to, 1st, iSuch as are, in his 
opinion, unconstitutional; 2d, Such as tend to encroach 
on the rights of the states or individuals; 3d, Such a» 
involving deep interests, may, in his opinion, require 
more mature deliberation or reference to the will of the 
people, to be ascertained at the succeeding elections. 

V. That he should never suffer the influence of hisof^ 
fice to be used for purpose* »f« jwrt^lv jjarty character- 



APPENDIX. 297 

VI. That in removals from office of those who hold 
their appointments during the pleasure of the Executive, 
the cause of such removal should be stated if requested, 
to the Senate, at the time the nomination of a successor 
is made. 

And last, but not least in importance, 

VII. That he should not suiFer the executive depart- 
ment of the government to become the source of legis- 
lation: but leave the whole business of making laws for 
the Union to the department to which the Constitution 
has exclusively assigned it, until they have assumed that 
perfected shape, where and when alone the opinions of 
the Executive may be heard." * * * » 

The question may perhaps be asked of me, what se- 
curity I have in my power to offer, if the majority of the 
American people should select me for their chief magis- 
trate, that I would adopt the principles which I have 
herein laid down as those upon which my administra- 
tion would be conducted ; I could only answer, by refer 
ring to my conduct, and the disposition manifested in 
the discharge of the duties of several important offices, 
which have heretofore been conferred upon me. If the 
power placed in my hands has, on even a single occa- 
sion, been used for any purpose other than that for 
which it was given, or retained longer than was neces- 
sary to accomplish the objects designated by those from 
whom the trusts were received, I will acknowledge that 
either will constitute a sufficient reason for discrediting 
any promise I may make, under the circumstances in 
which I am now placed, 

I am, dear sir, truly yours, 

W. H. HARRISON. 
To the Hon. Harmar Denny. 



General Harrison to the Editor op the 
Ohio Confederate. 

North Bend, Oct. 18, 1839. 
Dkar Sir, — The article you wrote in reply to some 
abusive remarks made upon me by the editors of two 



298 APPENDIX. 

of the Ohio newspapers, is still going the rounds of 
publication in the jourimis of the Atlantic cities. It is 
at least once a week brought to my notice, and yet I 
have delayed to execute the intention I formed when I 
first saw it, to express in a letter to you, my deep sense 
of gratitude for the exalted terms in which you have 
been pleased to speak of me, and my admiration of the 
generosity and nobleness of soul which prompted you 
to become my defender, under the circumstances in 
which you stand in relation to those by whom I was as- 
sailed. I can give no other reason for the delay than 
the apprehension that I should not be able properly to 
express my feehngs on an occasion where they had 
been so strongly excited. They are, I trust, such as 
they ought to be, and such as a heart like yours will 
readily believe to exist in the bosom of another who 
owes a debt of gratitude that he despairs of ever being 
able to repay. But, however, highly I may value the 
approbation, coming from a source the purity of which 
no one can doubt, candor obliges nie to say that you 
have done me more than justice, in attributing to me 
uncommon merit in my disinterested management of 
the public funds submitted to my control, and in the 
execution of the important powers with which I have 
been clothed, at difterent times, by the Government of 
the United States. 

As it regards the first, how could I act otherwise, 
considering the tutorage I received in my youth, and 
which is common to all brought up in the part of the 
country from which we both came? There were cir- 
cumstances in my situation, too, which would have 
rendered the guilt of any dereliction of duty in me of 
deeper dye than in most of. the other public officers. 
I allude to the great confidence (manifested by the ex- 
traordinary powers conferred upon me) reposed in me 
by the great statesmen and patriots under whom it was 
my good fortune to act. Take a sample or two ; I was 
Governor of Indiana, (at that time it comprised what is 
now Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin,) ex- 
officio Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and by the 
Constitution (the ordinance) vested with the power to 
appoint all the officers (under the first ^rade,) and to 



APPENDIX 299 

lay off counties and fix seats of justice. Under the 
second, a complete control over the Legishititre. I was, 
moreover, vested by Congress with the complete con- 
trol over the public domain at Vincennes, and in the 
Illinois country, for the settlement of all the claims to 
land made by the " French and British governments, or 
by courts or commandants claiming the rights to make 
such grants, the whole of the land so granted, or as 
much thereof as might appear to me to be reasonable 
and just." With these great powers in my hand, Presi- 
dent Jefferson, in 1804, sent me a commission constitu- 
ting me sole commissioner for treating with all the 
northwestern tribes, with the power to draw for any 
money I might think necessary for the accomplishment 
of the objects committed to me. My compensation 
was fixed at $6 per diem and my expenses, when I was 
acting as commissioner, but I was entirely left to myself 
to determine when 1 should be considered as actmg 
under this commission, or the ordinary one of superin- 
tendent. I have no means near me of ascertaining the 
whole amount of compensation I charged ibr the 
thirteen treaties I negotiated, in the course of the 
eleven years that I acted under the commission ; I am 
persuaded however, that it did not exceed $4,000 — at 
most $5,000. 

As soon as Louisiana was acquired, I was made by a 
law of Congress, (at the suggestion of Mr. Jefterson.) 
ex-officio Governor of " Upper Louisiana." I do not 
positively know, his motive for this singular arrange- 
ment. But I do not know, that he had it much at heart 
to convince the inhabitants of the newly acquired terri- 
tory of the great difference between our Government 
and the corrupt one they had so long suffered under. 
Under this impression, I declined receiving the fee to 
which I was entitled by law, although those for Indian 
licenses would have brought me two or three thousand 
dollars, and refused to purchase any property, although 
I was tempted by the proprietor {k. Choteau) of three 
fourths of St. Louis and all the adjoining lands, with an 
individual moiety for assisting him to build up the town. 

In the war of 1811, and that which commenced in 
1812, I received almost a carte blanche as to appoint- 



300 APPENDIX. 

ments, organization of the army, expenditures, <fec. 
Was it possible for me to bring dishonor upoa the ad- 
ministration of these distinguished men, by using their 
unhmited confidence for any other purpose than that 
for which it was given ? 

" I have only room to add that I am, most truly, 
yours. WILLIAM H. HARRISON. 

Mr. Milder, Editor of the Ohio Confederate." 



The OpiNioy of a Foreigner. — M. Chevalier hav- 
ing encountered General Harrison at Cincinnati, in one 
of his letters, the following comment : — 

" I had observed at the hotel table a man about the 
medium height, stout and muscular, and about the age 
of sixty years, yet with the active step and lively air of 
youth. I had been struck with his open and cheerful 
expression, the amenity of his open and certain air of 
command, which appeared through his plain dress. 
"That is"' said my friend, " General Harrison, Clerk of 
the Cincinnati Court of Common Pleas." — "What! 
General Harrison of the Tippecanoe and the Thames?" 
" The same ; the ex-general, the conqueror of Tecura- 
seh and Proctor ; the avenger of our disasters on the 
Raisin and Detroit ; the ex-governor of the Territory 
of Indiana, the ex-senator in Congress, the ex minister 
of the United States to one of the South American Re- 
publics. He has grown old in the service of his country, 
he has passed twenty years of his life in those fierce 
wars with the Indians in which there is less glory to be 
won, but more dangers to be encountered than at Ti- 
voli and Austerlitz. He is now poor, with a numerous 
family, neglected by the Federal Government, although 
yet vigorous, because he had the independence to think 
for himself. As the opposition is in the majority here, 
his friends have bethought themselves of coming to 
his relief by removing the Clerk of Common Pleas, 
who was a Jackson man, and giving him the place, 
which is a lucrative one, as a sort of retiring pension. 
His friends in the East talk of making him President of 
the United States — meanwhile we have made him cierk 
of an inferior court. 



I 



I 



